Voting Advocates Outline Qualifications for Next Oneida BOE Commissioners

NEW YORK, NY (02/23/2021) (readMedia)-- Less than week after the Oneida Board of Elections (BOE) Commissioners announced resigning after pressure for the mishandling of the Brindisi-Tenney race, the Let NY Vote Coalition including Common Cause/NY, Citizens Union, Vote Early NY, Brooklyn Voters Alliance, Generation Vote and Indivisible Mohawk Valley, issued a letter to the Oneida County Executive and Oneida County Board of Legislators that allowed critical qualifications for the next election commissioners. The qualifications include knowledge and experience with election administration (New York experience desirable, but not required) or demonstrated ability to quickly get up to speed on detailed legal requirements, familiarity with data management systems and best practices and dedication to voter-centered elections and excellent customer service, among others.

Full letter here and below.

In January, as Brindisi and Tenney continued their court battle over 69 ballots, Common Cause/NY, VoteEarlyNY, and Planned Parenthood penned a letter to Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Heastie, and Elections Chairs Senator Zellnor Myrie and Latrice Walker demanding they take action and pass legislation directly in response to the 22nd Congressional race. See here.

LETTER:

Via Email

February 22, 2021

Anthony J. Picente

Oneida County Executive

Oneida County Board of Legislators

Gerald J. Fiorini, Chairman

Phillip M Sacco, Minority Leader

Re: Qualifications for Election Commissioners

Dear Oneida Elected Leaders,

Let NY Vote is a statewide coalition of over 100 groups fighting to improve our elections by making registering and voting more accessible and equitable for every eligible New Yorker. Our coalition includes organizations with activists and members in Oneida County, including the undersigned Indivisible Mohawk Valley.

The egregious election administration failures and deficiencies revealed by the lawsuit involving the congressional election in NY CD-22, particularly those in Oneida County, are unacceptable. We were relieved to learn that the two Oneida County Election Commissioners have resigned.

You must now confirm new Election Commissioners nominated by the Democratic and Republican Oneida County party chair holders. Oneida County voters deserve an efficient and trustworthy election administration that is voter-centered. We urge you to not only fully fund the county board of elections, but during this process also hold a high bar of standards for the most capable individuals who would bring to the job these qualifications, at a minimum:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business administration, public administration or related field
• Knowledge and experience with election administration (New York experience desirable, but not required) or demonstrated ability to quickly get up to speed on detailed legal requirements
• Supervisory experience
• Project management experience preferred
• Familiarity with data management systems and best practices
• Dedication to voter-centered elections and excellent customer service
• Ability to work with the public and local/state government officials
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a dynamic environment
• Ability to adhere to schedules and timelines. Excellent time management skills required
• Ability to maintain a fiduciary relationship to Oneida County's voters.
• Valid driver's license
• Registered Oneida county voter or eligible to become one if moving to accept this position.

We hope that you share our dedication to repairing the damage done to citizens' faith in the Oneida Board of Elections' ability to efficiently run fair, accessible and secure elections where every vote is counted.

We are happy to discuss our recommended qualifications with you and to assist in any appropriate manner.

On Behalf of the Let NY Vote Steering Committee,

Common Cause/NY

Citizens Union

Generation Vote

Brooklyn Voters Alliance

Vote Early NY

Indivisible Mohawk Valley

Cc: All Members of Oneida County Board of Legislators

Oneida County Democratic & Republican County Chairs