In a recent meeting of the Erie County Board of Elections, officials addressed several pressing concerns regarding the upcoming election, particularly focusing on mail-in ballots and accessibility for voters with disabilities.

During the public hearing segment, community members raised issues about the distribution of ballots, with some voters reporting they had not yet received theirs. Dan Tellerico, chair of the Erie County Democratic Party, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that with only 12 days until the election, time is a critical factor. He urged voters, especially those out of state, to utilize drop boxes instead of relying on mail, which has been unreliable due to recent postal service changes.

Valerie Kingstub, a representative from Crawford County, echoed these concerns, highlighting problems such as incorrect return envelopes being included with ballots and the potential for confusion regarding the handling of ballots by designated agents for voters with disabilities. She noted that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows individuals to bring in ballots for others if proper forms are signed, which could lead to multiple ballots being submitted by a single person.

The meeting also featured discussions about the need for a \"curing process\" in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling, which could impact how ballots are handled if issues arise. Board members assured attendees that these topics would be addressed in their upcoming reports.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to ensuring a smooth electoral process while acknowledging the challenges posed by mail-in voting and the need for clear communication with voters.