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County Comptroller Says Board of Elections Needs More Funding

By Mark Scott

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz released an audit of the county's Board of Elections Friday.

It found that the Board's full-time staff of 36 is sufficient to meet day-to-day elections requirements. But Poloncarz says those staffing levels need to be supplemented at certain times of the year.

"Our auditors found the board does not have sufficient funding for part-time and seasonal employees to meet its 2006 election responsibilities," Poloncarz said. "Additional funding will be necessary to help meet the federal electoral mandates under the 'Help America Vote Act,' known as HAVA."

Poloncarz said the board will need an extra $1.4 million -- and possibly more -- to meet the "HAVA" requirements. He also said the County Legislature will need to appropriate more funding for a special election next month to fill a vacancy in the 60th State Senate District.