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Clayton County Official Board of Elections Meeting Minutes 07/14/20

PRESENT: Chair Wesley, Vice-Chair Dorothy Foster Hall, Secretary Johnson, Treasurer Givens, Board Member Patricia Pullar, Director Shauna Dozier, Supervisor Trivis Houston, Attorney Charles Reed, and Elections & Registration Assistant Brieanna Garrett. 

REGULAR BUSINESS BOARD MEETING 

1. Chair called the meeting to order

2. Moment of silence observed

3. Adoption of Agenda

Motion made by Vice-Chair Foster-Hall, seconded by Secretary Johnson to adopt the agenda with the added Brunch Bill business item. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried

4. Approval of June 17, 2020 Special Called Business Meeting minutes

Motion made by Vice-Chair Foster Hall seconded by Secretary Johnson to approve the June 17, 2020 Special Called Board Meeting Minutes. Vote Unanimous. Treasurer Givens: Absent. Motion carried

5. Approval of June 17, 2020 Regular Business Meeting minutes. 

Motion made by Vice-Chair Foster Hall seconded by Secretary Johnson to approve the June 17, 2020 Regular Business Board Meeting Minutes. Vote Unanimous. Treasurer Givens: Absent. Motion carried. 

5. PUBLIC COMMENT: Citizens will be given a three minute maximum time limit to speak before the Board of Elections and Registration about various topics, issues, and concerns. Public comments will be limited to thirty (30) minutes. Following thirty minutes of hearing from the public, the Board of Elections and Registration will allow the remainder of citizens who have signed up to be heard at the next regular business meeting. 

In an effort to maintain the spirit of openness and transparency during this time and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, citizens are invited to submit their public comments via this submission form 

1. Larry Auerbach submitted an online public comment: On behalf Of the Democratic Party of Georgia: We appreciate the dedication and diligence of the Director, Election Supervisor, and their staff in protecting the right to vote and working to enhance voting opportunities. We understand the problems of staffing and funding during these difficult times. Our suggestions are made with the understanding that there may be difficulties due to these factors, but also believing that the right to vote is vital to our democracy, but that in-person voting is risky for citizens. Clayton County’s ballot dropbox was quite successful with over 3300 ballots being cast in the dropbox in the June primary. We urge use of the August 11 as a trial to prepare for increased availability of dropboxes for the November General Election. This would enable more voters to vote safely, and reduce crowding and 

delays at in-person voting locations. We ask that every effort should be made to have drop boxes available in as many as possible of the population centers in various areas of Clayton County, e.g., Morrow, Riverdale, Lovejoy, Stockbridge, and Forest park. We also urge Clayton County to maximize the availability of early voting both in terms of early voting locations and early voting hours. Ideally, every early voting location would be open 7:00 am – 7:00 pm as well as being open for Sunday voting. This uniformity would greatly reduce confusion for voters. It would also maximize the ability of early vote locations to reduce crowding and delays on election day. We appreciate the Board considering our suggestions. 

6. Old Business

A. Board Directives as necessary. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that there are no Board directives to review. 

B. Board By-Laws Review Attorney Reed informed the Board that he provided By-Laws to review in previous Board Meetings. 

Attorney Reed informed the Board that there is not a state law that requires for the Board to be compensated for Special Called Meetings and that the Board could request further compensation from the county. 

Attorney Reed informed the Board that the Board would need to agree and decide on the longevity of each officers’ tenure. 

7. New Busines

A. Director’s Report & Election Update Director Dozier informed the Board that As of July 10, there are 201,464 (189,161 Active; 12,303 Inactive) voters in Clayton County. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Secretary of State Raffensberger, set the new Voter Registration deadline for the August 11, 2020 General Primary Runoff election for all registrants as Monday, July 13, 2020. The office was informed of this decision on July 6, 2020. The office has an estimated 12,000 Voter Registration Applications to process by the new July 13, 2020 Voter Registration Deadline. As of this date, Staff have processed 9,000 of the 12,000 applications within (5) five days working in an overtime capacity. Director Dozier gave accolades to the staff for their tremendous work. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that on Monday, July 13, 2020 the office had a delay of opening until 1:00PM due to an employee in the building in another department testing positive for Coronavirus. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that she requested from the Secretary of State an extension of the voter registration deadline due to the delay of opening until July 14, 2020 at 1:00PM, however the request was denied. 

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Director Dozier informed the Board that she would like to provide a special thanks to Registration & Elections Official, Monique Taylor. Ms. Taylor created the sample ballots for the combined elections. 

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Director Dozier informed the Board that typically, the Secretary of State Elections Office provides us with a composite sample ballot to use for our Advance Voting locations but at this time, we were not provided those services. Ms. Taylor took on the project and created the composite sample ballots. If it were not for Ms. Taylor, we would not be in compliance with providing sample ballots during our advance voting period. 

Chair Wesley gave accolades to Elections & Registration Official Taylor accolades from the Board for utilizing her skills to provide sample ballots to the County Director Dozier informed the Board that a meeting was conducted with the Chief Operating Officer along with Department Heads regarding the Facility Use and Moves within the county. The new plan includes moving the Elections warehouse to 1117 Battlecreek instead of 1285 Government Circle as initially planned. This location is currently used to store voting equipment. This location is scheduled to be renovated to suit the needs of our operations. The move will not start until after the 2020 election year has ended which could be February 2021. Further, Elections will occupy the second floor offices within the ceremonial courthouse. The Early Voting location is housed in this location. Currently, Planning & Zoning occupies those office spaces. The transition to occupy this office space could start within 2020. An update to the Board will be provided as this unfolds. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Clayton County will conduct a Democratic Runoff Election in School Board District 7 on August 11, 2020. Voters in School Board District 7 that declared a party preference as democrat or did not declare a party preference may participate in the runoff elections, 

Director Dozier informed the Board that seven polling locations will be open on Election Day. Communication blasts will be sent out to the public, constituents, stakeholders, and county officials to notify them of the Runoff Election. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Logic and Accuracy Testing commenced July 7, 2020 and shall continue until completion. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Poll Worker Training is scheduled from July 21 – August 1, 2020. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Advance Voting for the General Primary Runoff has been scheduled for July 20, 2020 to August 7, 2020, 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Elections & Registration requested the Board of Commissioners to approve the usage of the Ceremonial Historic Courthouse and Forest Park Library facilities for conducting Advance Voting with extended operating days/hours for the General Primary Runoff Election to be held August 11, 2020. This would give the Voters in Board of Education District 7 (the only race involved in the runoff) a facility that is within the School Board District 7. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that The State Election Board has voted to extend the emergency rules regarding official absentee drop boxes and early scanning of absentee ballots through the rest of the year. Therefore, it is now safe for our office to purchase additional absentee ballot drop boxes. The office received a quote of approximately $8,000 to provide the county with more droboxes. We are working on purchasing additional drop boxes using grant monies and will give an update at future meetings. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that grant applications have been submitted for reimbursement from the Secretary of State’s Office for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act as well as the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grants. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that she will be presenting (6) proposals to create 6 additional precincts in Clayton County in an attempt to reduce lines on Election Day later in the meeting as agenda items. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that the polling place changes would be effective for the November General Election. 

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Director Dozier informed the Board that along with House Bill 316 and the implementation of new voting equipment, the office decided that it would be in the best interest of voters to add additional polling sites to reduce long lines on Election Day. Polling sites have already been identified that needed to be split early this year however due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the closing of government offices, this is the first time that polling site have been able to be changed. Clayton County will reach 200,000 voters in the near future and the office is actively seeking ways to meet the needs of Clayton County residents. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Dr. Morcease Beasley, Clayton County Public Schools Superintendents has been very supportive in the being able to secure additional polling locations. 

B. Vote Review Panel- August 11, 2020 Runoff Election 

Motion made by Vice-Chair Foster-Hall to appoint Patricia Pullar to the Vote Review Panel as the Board Designee for the General Primary Election to be held August 11, 2020. Seconded by Treasurer Givens. Vote unanimous. Motion carried. 

C. EW1- Proposal No. 3/20- Precinct Boundary Change 

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Director Dozier informed the Board that Clayton County will reach 200,000 voters in the near future and the office is actively seeking ways to meet the needs of Clayton County residents. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that to her understanding, it has been identified that for the first time in the history of Clayton County Board of Elections & Registration polling places have been added to the expand the precinct locations. The request is to go from 58 to 64 precincts. It is possible that in the August meeting there will be a submission for an additional request to split Lovejoy 3. 

Director Dozier recommended to the Board that Ellenwood 1 be divided to create an additional precinct, Ellenwood 2 to be located at East Clayton Elementary School 3675 Steele Road Ellenwood, GA 30294, which is 2.6 miles from Ellenwood 1 located at Utopian Academy for the Arts. 

Motion made by Vice-Chair Foster-Hall, seconded by Treasurer Givens, to approve the precinct boundary change for proposal 3/20 Ellenwood 1 Precinct Boundary Change. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried. 

D. LJ3- Proposal No. 4/20- Precinct Boundary Change 

Director Dozier recommended to the Board that Lovejoy 3 be divided to create an additional precinct, Lovejoy 6 to be located at Eddie White Middle Academy, 11808 Panhandle Road Hampton, GA 30228, GA 30228, which is 2 miles from Lovejoy 3 located at Lovejoy Middle School 

Motion made by Secretary Johnson, seconded by Board Member Pullar, to approve the precinct boundary change for proposal 4/20 Lovejoy 3 Precinct Boundary Change. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried. 

E. JB01 & JB17- Proposal No. 5/20- Precinct Boundary Change 

Director Dozier recommended to the Board that Jonesboro 01 and Jonesboro 17 be divided to create an additional precinct, Jonesboro 19 to be located at Mundy’s Mill High School, 9652 Fayetteville Road, Jonesboro, GA 30238. 

Motion made by Board Member Pullar, seconded by Treasurer Givens, to approve the precinct boundary change for proposal 5/20 Jonesboro 1 and Jonesboro 17 Precinct Boundary Change. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried. 

F. OAK3- Proposal No. 6/20- Precinct Boundary Change 

Director Dozier recommended to the Board that Oak 3 be divided to create an additional precinct, Oak 5 to be located at Martin L. King Elementary School located at 5745 W. Lee Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30349, which is 1.7 miles from Oak 3 located at West Clayton Elementary School. 

Motion made by Secretary Johnson, seconded by Board Member Pullar, to approve the precinct boundary change for proposal 6/20 Oak 3 Precinct Boundary Change. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried. 

G. MO5- Proposal No. 7/20- Precinct Boundary Change 

Director Dozier recommended to the Board that Morrow 5 be divided to create an additional precinct, Morrow 10 to be located at New Faith Apostolic Ministries located at 3406 Rex Road Morrow, GA 30260, which is .60 miles from Morrow 5 located at Adamson Middle School. 

Motion made by ViceChair Foster-Hall, seconded by Treasurer Givens, to approve the precinct boundary change for proposal 7/20 Morrow 5 Precinct Boundary Change. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried. 

H. MO3- Proposal No. 8/20- Precinct Boundary Change 

Director Dozier recommended to the Board that Morrow 3 be divided to create an additional precinct, Morrow 11 to be located at Antioch East Baptist Church located at 2352 Old Rex Morrow Road, which is .5 miles from Morrow 3 located at Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church. 

Motion made by Board Member Pullar, seconded by Secretary Johnson, to approve the precinct boundary change for proposal 8/20 Morrow 3 Precinct Boundary Change. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried

I. FP5- Proposal No. 9/20- Polling Place Change 

Director Dozier informed the Board that Victory Point International Ministries, Inc. no longer 

vishes to serve as a polling site after the June 9, 2020 General Primary Election. However, due to the Election Runoff, Director Dozier made arrangements to extend the usage of the facilities until after the August 11, 2020 Runoff since this precinct is involved in the runoff. Director Dozier wanted to ensure the reduction of confusion of changing a polling place location in the middle of an Election Runoff. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that the recommended new polling site is Living Faith 

Tabernacle located at 5880 Old Dixie Highway Forest Park, GA 30297, which is 1.1 miles away from Victory Point International Ministries. 

Motion made by Secretary Johnson, seconded by ViceChair Foster-Hall, to approve the polling place change for proposal 9/20 Forest Park 5 Polling Place Change. Vote Unanimous. Motion carried. 

J. Combined Regular Called & Special Called Meeting-Certification of August 11, 2020 Runoff Election 

Motion made by Board Member Pullar; seconded by Secretary Johnson to change and combine the Regular Called and Special Called Meeting date and time to be held on August 18, 2020 at 4:30PM. Vote unanimous. Motion carried. 

K. Hearing to remove felons. 

There were no felons to remove. L. Hearing to remove deceased from Elector’s list.

Motion made by Board Member Pullar, seconded by Secretary Johnson, to remove 64 deceased voters from the electors’ list omitting the duplication. Vote Unanimous. Motion passed. 

M. Call for Special Election-Brunch Bill; Resolution 2020-107 Director Dozier informed the Board that on July 7, 2020 the Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 4691 to authorize the Elections & Registration to conduct a Special Election for a Brunch Bill in conjunction with the General Election to be held on November 3, 2020. 

Director Dozier informed the Board that the Resolution reads: Resolution 2020-107- A resolution of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, Georgia to authorize a referendum election allowing the qualified voters of Clayton County to determine whether to authorize the County to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises beginning at 11:00 a.m, on Sundays; to authorize the Chairman to perform all other acts necessary to accomplish the intent of the resolution; to provide an effective date of this resolution, and for other purposes. 

Motion made by Board Member Pullar, seconded by ViceChair Foster-Hall, to issue a Call of Election for Resolution 4691 Brunch Bill in conjunction with the General Election to be held November 3, 2020. Vote unanimous. Motion carried

8. Executive session

There was no executive session

9. Adjourn. Motion made by Board Member Pullar to adjourn the Regular Board Meeting at 5:56 P.M.


Did you know that the public can attend Board of Registration and Elections meetings? 

These meetings are open to the public by Georgia law. Georgia Open Meetings Act.

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