The combination of a downpour and a clogged drain was too much for the flat roof of the back part of Stark County’s Board of Elections building on 3rd Street NE in Canton.  About 500 square feet of it gave way under the weight of pooling storm water with nowhere to go. 

The board’s nearly 1,300 electronic voting machines weren’t stored directly beneath the collapse.  But, Director Jeff Matthews says equipment throughout the building will be evaluated piece-by-piece for signs of damage from moisture and humidity.

Machines for May already set aside
Because the roof collapse took out climate control for now, the voting machines for use in the upcoming election have been moved to another building where they will be in controlled storage even as they get the once-over.  

Meantime, Board offices are operating and can still be reached via the internet or phone.