A motion to create another full-time position in the elections office failed after Carbon County officials split the vote.

During the monthly salary board meeting Thursday, Controller Mark Sverchek and Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein voted in favor of establishing the position of one department clerk III in the elections office, while Commissioners Chris Lukasevich and Rocky Ahner voted against the motion.

Ahner said he was not in favor of the position at this moment because there are currently four part-time employees who have already been approved to work unlimited hours in that office and that this action would not help the current election.

He said in addition, several employees from various county offices are also working in elections to help process the excess amount of mail-in ballots.

“Right now I think we should be focusing on the upcoming election,” Ahner said. “Not that I am saying we don’t need a new position but I really feel at this time it doesn’t.

“With the changing duties of the election staff, including the director, a new position should add expertise to the department. You just don’t create a position just for the sake of having an extra person.”

Lukasevich agreed with Ahner, saying the creation of this position at this time would not make a difference for Nov. 3, “therefore, it should be put into the normal salary board process and should be brought up in January.”

Nothstein said things aren’t going to change after the election, citing additional responsibilities on the staff as part of changing election laws and disagreed with his colleagues.