Three north country elections boards recently received an additional $8,279 to make polling places more accessible, despite spending little of the $100,190 awarded to them 16 months ago to resolve the same issue.
Jefferson and St. Lawrence commissioners cited the state's delay in certifying voting machines for the lack of progress.
"Now that we know what the machines look like and what voting will be like, some places may not work because they're too small," said Robin M. St. Andrews, St. Lawrence County Democratic elections commissioner. "There's not enough room to handle flow of traffic that we'll need next year."
The county is revisiting polling places and will soon consider consolidating and moving districts.
"We don't want to put money into a site that we no more fix before deciding we can't use it," Mrs. St. Andrews said.
Elaine M. McLear, Lewis County Democratic elections commissioner, said the state required each county to survey all of its polling sites and submit an action plan before it could access funds.
"We are only part-time commissioners, so it's a very difficult process when you have everyday work that has to be done to still try to get out to every polling site," she said.
Robert A. Brehm, state elections board spokesman, said Monday that all three counties have completed a review of polling sites and have approved action plans. The state is not paying for improvements directly, so the counties must submit contracts with vendors to be reimbursed.
Mr. Brehm said his office had not received contracts from Jefferson and Lewis counties as of Monday.
Jerry O. Eaton, Jefferson County Republican elections commissioner, said his office has applied for use of $30,052.25 to expand access at 49 of 62 poll sites.
"We're trying to be very conservative in spending money because once these federal and state funds are expended, there will be no more money that we know of," he said.
Mr. Eaton said the Mannsville Fire Hall, where residents of Ellisburg's first district vote, will be one of the sites improved most. His office is purchasing a 10-foot ramp with rails to make a door more accessible. The site also will receive hard mats for its gravel lot and new parking signs and cones.
In Lewis County, Mrs. McClear said, the Pinckney Town Hall needs a bottom rail on its ramp to keep crutches or canes from slipping out the side. The Osceola polling site will feature a "ballot call" that will alert inspectors inside to a person requiring assistance outside.
Mrs. McClear said her office won't be able to upgrade all 13 sites in need of improvement with the state and federal money.
"We do have money in our budget for that," she said. "If we have to, we will approach the board and see what we can come up with."
Mr. Brehm said the state is asking counties to make all improvements before the Sept. 9 primary, in order to keep the state compliant with the federal Help America Vote Act.
Times staff writer Corey Fram contributed to this report.
