The Erie County Board of Elections will look to certify the ballot for the 2026 general election while also vote to consider the adoption of a new policy for authorizing postage for return mail ballots at its Sept. 15 meeting.
Also at the meeting, the board will vote on purchasing new smart ballot boxes and consider new changes in several polling locations.
The Board of Elections will meet at 4 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the Erie County Courthouse at 140 W. Sixth St. in room 114A and electronically by Zoom. This meeting is open to the public.
No change in mail-in ballot policy, but possible postage help
The Erie County Clerk Karen Chillcott confirmed with the Erie Times-News on Sept. 14 that there is no change to the mail-in ballot policy.
This agenda item according to Chillcott is something that the board does almost every election. Chillcott said the board usually calls for a vote, but the resolution would create a policy so a vote would not have to be taken prior to each election.
The policy stands as eligible voters can cast their ballots by mail-in in accordance with applicable election laws.
The Erie County Board of Elections also is looking to facilitate the return of the mail-in ballots by covering the cost of regular USPS return postage.
Chillott says the cost is the standard USPS rate.
According to USPS is between 65 cents to 78 cents, depending on the weight of the envelope.
With 15,408 mail-in ballots returned in the 2026 Erie County primary election in May with 3,660 ballots dropped off and 11,748 ballots coming in the mail, the cost for shipping ballots at a USPS rate of 78 cents would be roughly $9,163.44.
New secure smart ballot boxes
Also on the agenda is a vote on adding four new Sentinel Secure Smart ballot drop boxes. Chillcott says the boxes will be a step up in security for voters.
According to Rizwan Fidai, the chief revenue officer of Runbeck Election Services LLC, which manufactures the new boxes, the Sentinel Secure Smart ballot drop boxes have a front-facing camera takes a photo of the voter as they insert their envelope.
Chillcott said the Sentinel ballot boxes’ front-facing cameras could be enabled or disabled to take a photo of the voter. If the Board of Elections approves the purchase, they would also have to decide on whether to enable the camera.
A barcode scanner will also scan the bar code on the envelope, capture an image of the envelope and the voter’s signature.
Fidai said in a letter to the Board of Elections that “sturdy, steel construction, fire suppression and locks make Sentinel the most secure and only smart solution in election drop boxes. Sentinel offers additional benefits including ADA compliance, administrator dashboard and the option to run on battery power.”
Chillcott says the hope is to deploy several of these boxes throughout Erie County.
As of Sept. 14, the quote received by the Erie County Board of Elections for four boxes totals $87,935.00. The board was quoted $43,092.00 for software warranties for the machines.
A vote for change in polling locations
The board will also consider changes some polling locations in Erie County.
Chillcott said this is a standard occurrence before elections as some polling locations change due to renovations, changes in ownerships or changes in access to buildings.
The following polling location changes are being considered:
- Fairview Township District 1 from Fairview Presbyterian Church at 4264 Avonia Road to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 1070 Dutch Road.
- Millcreek Township District 24 from Asbury Woods Nature Center at 4105 Asbury Road., to Saint. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 3108 Sterrettania Road;
- Albion Borough from the Albion Borough Fire Department at 15 Smock Avenue to the Albion Borough Office at 53B E. State Street.
Key dates before the general election
Before the general election takes place on Nov. 3, here are some important dates to note:
- Oct. 3: Last day to register to vote before the November election.
- Oct. 27: Final day to apply for a mail-in ballot.
- Nov. 3 at 8 p.m.: Deadline to return mail-in ballots. Mail-in ballots should be returned to the drop box in front of the Erie County courthouse.
