Saturday, March 11, 2000
Elections director quits
Cuyahoga Co. move follows primary woes
BY M.R. KROPKO
The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — The director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections resigned Friday, three days after shortages of Republican ballots kept some residents from voting in the primary election.
William R. Wilkins, whose tenure was marked by several election glitches, delivered a letter of resignation to board Chairman Roger M. Synenberg.
In the letter, Mr. Wilkins said: “In view of the combination of circumstances that led to a shortage of Republican ballot cards in some precincts during Tuesday's primary elec tion, it is appropriate that I tender my resignation.”
Mr. Wilkins was unavailable to comment further. His secretary said he was not at his office.
A message was left requesting Mr. Synenberg's comment.
The Plain Dealer reported Friday that Mr. Wilkins had privately told board members the day before the primary that he intended to end his four-year tenure Friday. The newspaper said he would not confirm that plan.
The election was marred by a spot shortages of Republican ballots that forced poll workers to turn away voters especially in Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Parma, Seven Hills and Strongsville.
The board said later that 116,203 Republican ballots were cast. The board had estimated 110,000 ballots would be needed, based on an expectation of 100,000 voters and 10,000 absentee ballots.
About 150 of the county's 1,500 precincts ran short of GOP ballots for part of the day, some receiving a fresh supply when there was less than an hour left before the polls closed at 7:30 p.m.
Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell said his office was investigating the election problems, which he called inexcusable.
Mr. Wilkins on Tuesday accepted blame for the shortages.
He had been disciplined for two earlier election problems.
Last year, Mr. Wilkins was put on three months' probation after the board failed to notify 6,400 voters in Berea, Bay Village and Maple Heights that their polling places had been moved. A year earlier, he was suspended three days after 385 invalid ballots were mistakenly counted in the November election.
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