ELIZABETHTOWN — An absent election commissioner has county officials worried during the busiest time of year for the Essex County Board of Elections.

County Republican Election Commission Lewis Sanders of Ticonderoga hasn’t been to work since July, and the County Board of Supervisors went into a 40-minute executive session this week to discuss his status.

“One commissioner (Sanders) has been out for some time,” Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said. “There are a lot of rumors out there. I’d like to know some facts as to what’s going on.”

County Attorney Daniel Manning III didn’t want the issue discussed in open session, and he said an executive session would be justified.

MORE MONEY

After the lengthy closed session, the Board of Supervisors reconvened and unanimously moved a resolution to provide more funding for the Board of Elections as the general election approaches.

This is “authorizing me to provide additional funding to the Board of Elections for any additional help they may need between now and Nov. 3 and authorizing me to make whatever transfers are necessary for that position,” County Manager Daniel Palmer said.

That was the only public comment about what went on in the closed-door confab.

Some supervisors said after the meeting that they’d discussed appointing an acting election commissioner to take Sanders’s place. Three of the county’s top Republicans have expressed interest.

RECOVERING

Contacted later at his home, Sanders said he’s been absent because of a heart attack.

“Because I’m sick are they going to throw me under the bus?”

Appointing someone to take his place might not be legal, he said.