Before a public hearing called by the Erie County Legislature on issues related to the implementation of the Help America Vote Act (“HAVA”) in Erie County, the WNY Coalition for Progress called on the legislature to exercise fiscal discipline is setting the rate of pay for election inspectors employed by the county, while still ensuring that other HAVA related costs are paid for as required by law.

The statement, which was entered into the official record of the hearing, noted, “[i]t is unfortunate that the implementation of HAVA in New York coincides with Erie County’s fiscal problems, but that is no reason for the county to shirk its responsibilities under federal and state law. Unfortunately, past experience gives Erie County’s residents a reason to question the viability of our county’s budgets and finances, but at no time should our citizens question whether our elections are not only secure, but are being held in accordance with the law. As such, the WNY Coalition for Progress calls on Erie County’s leadership to pay for and provide safe and secure elections, but at the same time ensure Erie County’s future through sound fiscal discipline.”

The statement further noted that, under HAVA and New York law, “[t]he Erie County Board of Elections has been charged with assuming responsibilities that once were the purview of the municipalities. This includes, but is not limited to, assuming the ownership, care, custody and control of all voting machines used in Erie County, as well as paying a fair, yet fiscally responsible, wage to election inspectors. The Coalition calls on the Erie County Legislature to fully fund all costs associated with the storage and care of all current machines for the remainder of 2006.”

Additionally, the Coalition called on “the Erie County legislature to set the rate of pay for all election inspectors at a rate that takes into consideration our current fiscal situation, as well as amounts that were paid to inspectors by the municipalities in the past. It would be wiser, after a complete examination of the amounts charged by all municipalities in 2005, to set a rate per inspector for 2006, that while lower than neighboring counties, ensures a balanced budget in 2006.

To read the Coalition’s complete report and statement in adobe format please click HERE.