Members of the Medina County Board of Elections take oaths of office

MEDINA — Medina County Board of Elections Director Carol Lawler, Deputy Director Heather McDermott, Chairperson Pam Miller, board member Marsha Frost and staff took an oath of office during the board's reorganization meeting Thursday. Medina County Court of Common Pleas Judge Bill Hutson administered each oath. Every person at the board of elections was sworn in again for the role they currently have. The board holds a reorganization meeting every two years, Lawler said. The director and deputy director have two-year terms while members of the board of elections serve in staggered four-year terms. Miller, a Democrat, and Frost, a Republican, were recommended by their respective parties to be reappointed by the secretary of state since their terms were ending, she said. The other board members, Donald Baker and Nancy Abbott, are currently in the middle of their four-year terms, so they were not sworn in on Thursday. On Tuesday, the board of elections appointed Nicole Rae Mickley to be the new director upon Lawler's retirement, which will take place in April. Lawler said she will also be sworn in once she starts her new role. Also during the meeting, the board discussed the upcoming May election. Only 75 precincts out of 121 are participating in the election, and the board of elections is working on proofing and locking down the ballot for the primary. There is one precinct that will be relocated from the Medina County Fairgrounds to York Township for the May election only, she said. It is because the large space is not necessary for the election. The affected residents are within Medina but vote for issues relating to Buckeye Schools and will be notified of the change. Poll worker training will take place starting Tuesday and go until March 18. The registration deadline for the May primary is April 3, and regular early voting begins on April 4. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.