Richard Saunders wrote: What in the world is wrong at the Butler County Board of Elections? Something is wrong and changes need to be made.  If the Republicans can't run the elections, then somehow independents must be put in charge. Don't tell me that we should put Democrats in charge.  NEITHER party can be trusted.  We must take the POLITICS out of things and find people of INTEGRITY to take care of the people's business.

I have to agree.  This is the second election in a row with major malfunctions that could have changed the results of an election.  The margin in Tuesday’s contest for Butler County Commissioner was (unofficially) less than 25 votes.  There could easily have been at least that number of voters who failed to vote due to the confusion in the location of one of the polling places here in Middletown: the “Manchester Banquet Hall”!!!  (How many of you knew where the “Manchester Banquet Hall” was located???)

Voters face problems at Middletown polling location

GPS units directed many to Manchester Inn, instead of school site.

By http://www.middletownjournal.com/services/staff/1317913.html - - Michael D. Pitman , Staff Writer

11:59 PM Wednesday, March 7, 2012

MIDDLETOWN — If you had trouble finding the poll location at Manchester Banquet Hall during the election primary on Tuesday, you weren’t alone.

Between a dozen to two dozen calls were placed to the Butler County Board of Elections during voting hours on Tuesday from voters expressing frustration, said elections Director Jocelyn Bucaro. She said many had gone to the old Manchester Inn, mostly because GPS units directed them there, and some didn’t know where to enter the building because of the lack of directional signs.

Bucaro said they wanted to have the polling location at the Middletown High School on North Breiel Boulevard, but were told no and it was suggested to use the Manchester Banquet Hall, which is a former elementary school and 100 yards from the high school.

Middletown resident Ann Smith called her experience voting at the Manchester Banquet Hall “the worst voting experience I’ve ever had.” …  (To read the entire story, click here: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/election/tight-county-commission-race-left-hanging-1340161.html - http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/election/tight-county-commission-race-left-hanging-1340161.html  )

In last November’s election, had the First Ward unexpired term for City Council been as closely contested as this County Commissioner’s primary, the Butler County Board of Election similarly could have changed the result due to their error in NOT notifying the Warren County Board of Elections of the First Ward election and the candidates.

Without free, honest, and accurate elections our entire democratic republic is at stake.  I agree with Mr. Saunders that the positions at the Board of Elections should NOT be political patronage positions, but should be based solely on qualifications.