PRESENT
Dele Lowman Smith (D) Chair
Nancy Jester (R)
Anthony Lewis (R)
Susan Motter (D)
Karli Swift (At Large)
Called to order 1:00pm by Chair Lowman-Smith
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Liz Throop, Atlanta, said poll managers do a great job and that it would be impracticable to
switch to politically-appointed poll managers at this time. - Jane Mazoff, Decatur said she was concerned about changing polling place locations.
- Colette Fricks, Doraville
- Victoria Webb, Avondale Estates
POLLING LOCATIONS
A list of proposed polling place and dropbox locations, along with the meeting agenda, were
shared with the public via the website. This is very positive and unprecedented in DeKalb
Elections meetings. Most of the changes are merely making “temporary” polling locations
permanent. The Board unanimously approved the (yet to be finalized) locations (attached).
They had tried to move from S. DeKalb Mall to GSU DeKalb or other government facility as
Advance Voting location so they could put a dropbox there – but apparently, they changed their
minds and S DeKalb Mall will be an Advance location. I’m not sure how they get to put a
dropbox at S DeKalb Mall, a non-government facility, under SB202.
Director Smith says new locations published in the legal organ (The Champion) 3/24/22 and
3/31/22.
POLLING HOURS
May 2 – May 20: Monday – Friday, 7am – 7pm
Saturdays 9am – 6pm
Sundays noon – 5pm (except shorter hours Mothers’ Day May 8)
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS:
Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson mentions the (attached) map of dropbox locations for the
May 24 Primary. Staff member Twyla Hart says they tried to distribute the dropboxes evenly
across the county in line with population concentrations. The Board adopted proposed dropbox
locations unanimously.
Comm. Davis Johnson announced a Voter Registration event on Memorial Drive offices parking
lot.
Susan Motter reported that she attended a session at GAVREO in which state attorney Ryan
Germany mentioned that many counties are receiving lists of nominations for poll managers
from political parties. These nominations are based on 21-2-90, a law passed in 1964 but never
acted on before, which says county Elections offices must hire these nominees unless
impracticable. Motter has requested data on DeKalb’s existing poll workers, such as how long
they have worked, what positions they have held, etc. Motter also discussed the matter with
county attorneys so DeKalb Elections can make hiring decisions in accordance with this law.
From 21-2-90: If the political parties involved elect to do so, they may submit to the
superintendent, for consideration in making such appointment, a list of qualified
persons. When such lists are submitted to the appropriate office, the
superintendent, insofar as practicable, shall make appointments so that there shall
be equal representation on such boards for the political parties involved in such
elections or primaries. The superintendent shall make each appointment by entering an
order which shall remain of record in the appropriate office and shall make such order
available for public inspection upon request. The order shall include the name and
address of the appointee, his or her title, and a designation of the precinct and primary
or election in which he or she is to serve.
MEETING ADJOURNED
*These notes were typed and prepared by a Peanut Gallery Volunteer
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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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