The Cayuga County Board of Elections is touting the success of innovations that it debuted for the 2024 general election.
Recognizing that there would likely be a large voter turnout with high emotions amongst voters, Cayuga County Board of Elections Commissioners Keith Batman and John Camardo implemented several new initiatives, resulting in what both men described as an incredibly smooth election.
Firstly, the Fingerlakes Mall acted as a countywide polling site, allowing people to vote at the mall regardless of their home district. While the county has utilized countywide polling sites for early voting before, this was the first time one was used on Election Day.
Republican Commissioner John Camardo told Finger Lakes News Radio that the site was incredibly useful in handling the increased voter turnout due to the presidential election with 5,700 people utilizing the site for early voting and 500 on Election Day.
“We came to the conclusion that this would be a great opportunity to have a centralized area where anyone in the county could go and vote,” said Camardo. “It really worked out well for us and hopefully, that’ll be a model for the future to build upon.”
Camardo also thanked the mall for its support in trialing the countywide site and the Board of Elections is looking into continuing to utilize it moving forward.
This election also marked the first time 17-year-olds could become poll workers. Typically, poll workers must be 18 or older but state law allows 17-year-old high school students to work the polls. Debuting for the June 25, primaries, this was the first time student workers were utilized for the busier general election.
Speaking with Finger Lakes News Radio, Democrat Commissioner Keith Batman said that ten students worked at 14 different polling sites throughout the county for early and Election Day voting, providing much-needed support and assistance.
“They contributed significantly; they were reliable; they were hard-working, and they knew what they were doing,” said Batman. That was also a very successful program and one we look forward to building upon.”
Aside from providing additional assistance at the polls, Batman said the program encourages those on the cusp of adulthood to take part in the democratic process. Students with good experiences may tell their friends about the program, leading to more teens taking part in it.
“We’re hoping that what we’re doing is creating a culture of citizen involvement of 17-year-olds and even those younger,” continued Batman.
17-year-olds looking to become poll workers can learn more about the program by contacting their school’s principal or guidance counselor, or the Board of Elections at 315-253-1285, [email protected], or the board’s website.
Finally, this election saw the Board of Elections partner with the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and IT Department to enhance safety for voters and poll workers through SaferWatch. Under the program, LTE Panic buttons were installed at each polling site in the county that were connected to 911 centers and could send instant alerts to law enforcement agencies.
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