County Clerk Scott Erickson says the only way that the Galesburg Election Commission could be abolished is by voter referendum.This after several Knox County Board members have voiced support for doing away the office, apparently seeing its duties as duplicative with those of Erickson’s office.
Erickson, the top election official in Knox County, says “these are tricky waters” for him to comment on but adds that Galesburg Election Executive Director Lisa Watson does a fine job .
He says his office works closely with the GEC.
The Election Commission certifies ballots to the County Clerk and the Clerk certifies them to the state.
He does say that law mandates getting rid of the GEC would require a simply majority from Galesburg voters on ballots.
Erickson tells WGIL that if the commission were abolished he’s not concerned about an influx in duties for him and his staff.
“We’re already doing the election stuff as it is now. It would be the same work just higher numbers with vote totals,” Erickson says.
The Galesburg Board of Elections did file a civil lawsuit against Knox County and Treasurer Robin Davis in May for not paying GEC staff at the rates set by the Election Board.
The Galesburg Election Commission is one of six municipalities in the state that has an entity separate from the County Clerk certifying elections.
