Cayuga County elections chief praises 17-year-old poll workers, says mall site was success
Keith Batman, the Democratic elections commissioner in Cayuga County, praised the 17-year-old poll workers who staffed polling locations and declared the Fingerlakes Mall voting site an "unmitigated success."
Batman provided an update at the Cayuga County Legislature's Government Operations Committee meeting Wednesday. Regarding the Fingerlakes Mall polling location , he said more than 5,000 people voted at the site — about 40% of all the early votes cast in the county.
Batman and John Camardo, the outgoing Republican elections commissioner, decided to have a countywide polling location at Fingerlakes Mall for the presidential election. It provided another option for county voters and eased the burden at other early voting locations.
The county usually has three early voting centers, including Clifford Park in Auburn. If the mall wasn't an option, Batman said those voters likely would've gone to the park.
"Had we not had (the Fingerlakes Mall) site, our early voting would've been a disaster," he said.
There are discussions about continuing to have Fingerlakes Mall as a polling location, according to Batman. However, one concern is that turnout will be lower for local elections and it may not warrant having the mall site. But an additional concern is that if they don't return to the mall next year, voters will forget it's an option for the midterm and presidential elections when turnout is higher.
"We're thinking about ways to keep that going," Batman said.
Another success was the budding 17-year-old poll worker program. The county Board of Elections had its first 17-year-old poll worker for the primary election in June. For the general election, there were 10 students who worked at 14 poll sites during early voting and on Election Day.
Batman believes Cayuga County has the largest 17-year-old poll worker program in the state. He said the workers have received "very, very good reviews."
The state authorized local election boards to hire 17-year-old poll workers. The students must be U.S. citizens and residents of Cayuga County. The state requires the teens to get permission from their parents and school to participate in the program.
The county has additional requirements, including a minimum grade point average of 2.5, or 80, and the students must be preregistered to vote.
Batman also commented on Camardo's departure. It was announced in October that Camardo will no longer serve as the Republican elections commissioner. Chantell Hotaling is the GOP's pick to replace him.
"We've had a good partnership," Batman said. "We've accomplished some things that are significant, both in terms of local impact and state impact. I think we're both proud of what we've accomplished. I will miss him."
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or . Love Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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