Elections board reduces part-time staff and combines precincts

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Board of Elections is reducing its part-time staff, combining voting precincts and eliminating overtime for full-timers to save money and avoid layoffs.

The board submitted a $1.3 million budget to the county commissioners for this year. It’s the lowest amount its seeking from the commissioners this decade.

Turnout for this primary and general election is expected to be light, said Thomas McCabe, elections board director, as it typically is during odd-year elections.

The only candidates running in the May 5 primary are in Youngstown and Struthers. Also, voters in Boardman, Green and Beloit and four school districts have levies on the May ballot. In 2007, all precincts in the county were open during the primary because of a countywide sales tax vote. The board spent $1.77 million in 2007.

Even-year elections are more expensive than odd-years because all precincts in the county are always open during the primary with much higher voter turnout, McCabe said. The board spent $2.69 million during last year’s presidential election.

If the commissioners reduce the $1.3 million proposal, the board’s 10 full-time election clerks may have to work four-day work weeks or work nine days every two weeks, McCabe said today.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com