Forsyth County Board of Voter Registrations & Elections Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Office  Regular Monthly Meeting September 3, 2024 at9 a.m. 1201 Sawnee Drive Cumming, Georgia 30040  MINUTES  Present at the meeting: Barbara Luth, Chairman Joel Natt, Vice Chairman Carla Radzikinas, Secretary Anita Tucker, Assistant Secretary Dan Thalimer, Member Mandi Smith, Director Carol Balcome, Assistant to the Director Karen Pachuta, Jarrard & Davis  I.  Call Meeting to Order  Chairman Luth called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.  II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Adoption of Agenda  Director Smith requested New Business D. be added for the board to discuss a hearing date for a recently submitted challenge pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-230. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Member Thalimer made a motion to adopt  the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.  IV. Adoption of Minutes  A. Regular meeting of August 6, 2024  Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to adopt the minutes as prepared by staff. Motion carried unanimously.  V. Public Comments  The following persons addressed the Board:  Rachel Lesser Debbie Stair Stefan Bartelski Ray Moyers Claudine Destino    Jim Heminger Linda Hendrix Gary Johns  VI. Old Business  A. Discussion of November 5, 2024 General Election and Special Elections  1. Logic and Accuracy Testing  Director Smith stated we have received the ballot proofs and logic and accuracy testing has been advertised to begin Friday, September 13.  2. Early opening of absentee ballots  Director Smith reported we received approximately 1300 absentee ballot applications since August 19 - the first day absentee ballot applications could be accepted for civilian voters. She asked the board to consider allowing for the early opening of absentee ballots. The board decided to postpone this  item until the October 1 regular meeting for a decision. 3. Early tabulation of absentee ballots on Election Day  The board decided to postpone this item until the October 1 regular meeting  for a decision. 4. Risk Limiting Audit  Director Smith stated the audit is required by law. The presidential and one other race will be audited. She said the Secretary of State will decide the  other race after Election Day.  VII. New Business  A. Discussion of SEB rule changes*  Assistant Secretary Tucker presented a resolution that would propose a 90-day quiet period for the State Election Board to make any rule changes. Assistant Secretary Tucker with a second from Member Thalimer made a motion  to approve the resolution.  The board discussed their views on the proposed resolution.  Member Thalimer with a second from Vice Chairman Natt made a motion to amend the original motion and postpone this item until the October 1 regular meeting. Motion carried 3-2 with Secretary Radzikinas and Assistant Secretary  Tucker opposed.    A vote was taken on the main motion as amended. Motion carried 3-2 with Secretary Radzikinas and Assistant Secretary Tucker opposed. B. Discussion of ballot order for referendums and questions  The board asked Attorney Pachuta to put together a policy that will state items will be listed on the ballot in the order they were approved by the Board of Voter  Registrations & Elections.  C.D Discussion of possible December 3, 2024 Runoff Election  While no contests other than the US President have more than two candidates, plans will be in place if a Runoff is needed. If any race ends in a tie there will be a runoff on December 3. Vice Chairman Natt asked that in preparations fora possible Runoff that plans be made to hold one day of Saturday voting at the  Elections Office only. Item Added:  D. Board discussion of a hearing date for the August 30, 2024 Bartelski challenge The board agreed to have a special called meeting at 9 a.m. on Friday,  pursuant to 0.C.6.A21-2-230 September 13, 2024.  VIII. Director's Report  Director Smith presented the Director's Report.  Voter Registrations & Elections Department  Director's Report September 03, 2024  Board Members Board Member Barbara Luth Joel E. Natt Anita Tucker Carla Radzikinas Dan Thalimer  House Bill 837 was not passed during the 2024 legislative session. Additional legislation to clarify the term start and end date oft the BRE members will need to be considered during the next legislative session.  Party Chief Registrar & Chairperson Republican Democratic Republican Democratic  Took Office Current 04/02/2019* 07/01/2021 02/03/2015* 09/01/2023 03/01/2022* 09/01/2023 04/04/2016* 09/01/2021 09/01/2021 09/01/2021  Current Term End 06/30/2025 06/30/2027 06/30/2027 08/31/2025 08/31/2025  Term Start  *Filled the unexpired term of outgoing member    Staff  Current filled staff/positions: 91 full-time (2 unfilled) and 4 part-time (4 unfilled). Legislation pending/approved bills)/Change to Election Code/State Election Board (SEB) There are currently 11 proposed rules posted to the SEB's website for review. The next SEB meeting is Three SEB Rules were amended in August: 183-1-12-.12 (BRE to hold a pre-certification meeting no later than 3 p.m. on the Friday following Election Day), 183-1-12-.02 (definition of certification), and 183-1-14-.02  scheduled for September 20, 2024. (returning a voted absentee ballot). Election Information  November 5, 2024 General Election and Special Elections  Special Elections SPLOSTIX  The BRE held a special called meeting on. July 29, 2024 to call the special election. The BRE will held a special called meeting onj July 22, 20241 to call the special election, The BRE held a special called meeting on August 2, 2024 to call the special election.  School district ad valorem tax homestead exemption (HB 717)  Redevelopment Powers  Logic & Accuracy testing oft the election equipment: start date is set for Friday, September 13, 2024. We are currently reviewing the ballot proofs and iti is not known when we will have the ballot Advance Voting schedule (as was voted on by the BRE at their 06/06/23 BRE meeting) Elections Office, Hampton Park Library, Sharon Springs Park, Midway Park  package.  Voter Registration deadline: October 7, 2024  Week 1: 10/15-10/18, Tue-F (Monday, 10/14isa a state holiday - Columbus Day)  Saturday: 10/19 Week 2: 10/21-10/25, M-F Saturday: 10/26 NO Voting: Sunday, 10/27 Week: 3: 10/28-11/01, M-F Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunda: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Sunday: 10/20 (Elections Office ONLY)  Voting hours:  Absentee Ballot drop box days, hours and location (as was voted on by the BRE at their 07/02/24 Tot follow the same schedule (voting days and hours) as set for Advance' Voting Location: Elections Office, 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, 30040 Timeline for submitting absentee ballot applications (for civilian voters): Mailing ballots: Monday, October 71 through October 25  BRE meeting)  August 191 through October 25  Timeline fori issuing absentee ballots for military and overseas voters per the UOCAVA Act Starts no earlier than Tuesday, September 17 (49 days prior to Election Day) and no later than Saturday, September 21, 2024 (45 days prior to Election Day) Last day to issue ballots to civilian and UOCAVA voters: Friday, October 25    Early opening of absentee ballots To be set by the BRE Certification of election results:  Tuesday, November 12, 2024 along with the regular monthly meeting of the BRE to immediately follow public comments (as was voted on byt the BRE at their 07/02/24 BRE Deadline to certify the election results is Tuesday, November 12, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.  meeting)  Monday, November 11 is Veteran's Day and is a county holiday Risk limiting audit (RLA) as required per GAI Election Code Thursday, November 14 through Friday, November 15  Candidate Qualifying  Polling Places and Precincts and Redistricting Department of Parks and Recreation Ethics Reporting /Candidate Qualifying  Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR) Candidates and elected officials who qualified for a local contest during this year's candidate qualifying period, March 4 - 8, 2024, are classified as 'being in their election year. Those in their election year will follow the State Ethics Commission Election Year schedule. Elected officials who did not qualify to runi for an office in 2024 are in their non-election year and will follow  the State Ethics Commission Non-Election Year schedule.  2024C CCDR Due Dates: Election Year  January 31 April 30 June 30 September 30 October 25 December 31 June 30 December 31  five-business days grace period five-business day grace period five-business days grace period five-business days grace period five-business days grace period five-business days grace period five-business day grace period five-business day grace period  2024 CCDR Due Dates: Non-Election Year  Personal Finance Disclosure Statements (PFDS) are financial reports for the previous calendar year. PFDSs  do not have a grace period. 2024PFDS Filing Period: Election Year 2024 PFDS Filing Period: Non-Election Year Open Records Request(s) (ORR) # received b/w 08/01/2024 - 08/31/2024  January 1, 2024-1 15 days after the dayt the candidate qualifies to run for office  January 1, 2024 -J July 1,2 2024  Number in parenthesis indicates the number from  the same month last year 3(8) 32 51 109  2024 Cumulative 2023 Cumulative 2022 Cumulative    2021 Cumulative  48  Budget/Finance Voter Registration  Voter Registration Statistics by Status: As of September 2, 2024  Countywide Total registered voters:  181,730(179,740) 164,068 (167,290) 17,662 (12,450) 4,660 (4,179) 4,155 (3,914) 505 (265) 1039 386 71 15 567 347 13 334 290 64 5 186 0 Not available 30 0 0 5  Active voters: Inactive voters: Active voters: Inactive voters: Pending voters Total: Pending age Pending verification Pending citizenship Challenged voters Total: Felon Voter challenge Cancelled voters Total: Deceased Felon Hearing Mentally Incompetent Moved out of county Moved out ofs state Notverified Voter requested Notes:  City of Cumming Total registered voters:  Pending singmompete/ncored information  No Activity for 2 General Election cycles  **An MOCI report is not currently available in GARVIS.  Voter Registration Activities  Staff continue to process voter registration applications and perform routine list maintenance activities. Absentee Ballot Applications for civilian voters could be accepted starting on Monday, August 19. To date, our office has received an estimated 1,300+ absentee ballot applications. Over 500 oft those applications were submitted via the online absentee ballot portal. There are approximately 1,100 absentee applications  rolling over due to elderly/disabled status.  Voter Challenges    Av voter challenge pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-230 submitted by Stefan Bartelski was received on Friday, August 30, 2024. The BRE will discuss setting al hearing date during today's meeting.  Election Equipment /S Supplies  Routine charging and inventory oft touchscreens and printers was completed in the month of August and will be suspended in preparation for the upcoming election. Charging and inventory of ballot scanners and UPS battery units was completed in the month of August. Our office has been advised by the vendor that more Logic and Accuracy (L&A) testing oft the election equipment to be used during the November 05, 2024, General Election and Special Elections will be advertised to: start Friday, September 13, 2024. L&A Testing will continue dayt to dayi including weekend days, ifneeded, until complete. Testing oft the election equipment is sett to begin daily no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and will not continue past 11:00 p.m. daily and while testing will occur during these hours, it may not take place the entire time each day. Public Notice of the specific start date will be All Poll Pad units (185) have received the software update needed for the upcoming election per direction of the Secretary of State. Poll Padt training modules are being downloaded tot thet training poll pads inp preparation The SOS announced during the end-of-summer training that a new vendor has been selected for Election Night Reporting (ENR). More information and training will be provided later in September. The SOS also announced that UPS replacement project will be suspended until 2025. Further information will  information about the new watermarked ballot paper is forthcoming.  published in the coming weeks.  for the poll worker training session scheduled for September 6, 2024.  be provided at al later date. IS&T/Software/Hardware Building Update Disaster Recovery Training/Outreach  Four New Poll Worker Preview Sessions were held in August. There were 85 attendees and all 85 expressed On Wednesday, August 7, all staff in the office virtually attended. a Georgia Elections Tabletop Exercise on On Thursday, August 8, the department of Communications filmed two videos for social media. One video highlights Advance Voting options for voters registered in Forsyth County and the: second video spotlights a On Friday, August 9, Director Smith provided a Voter Registration Drive training to two individuals who On Thursday, August 15, one Supervisor andi two staff members attended CPR and First Aid training. On Wednesday, August 21, two staff members manned a table at the Senior Services Volunteer Fair. On Thursday, August 22, Director Smith provided outreach at the Oaks at Gracemont and at Celebration The Director and two Supervisors attended training provided by the Secretary of State's office between On Tuesday, August 27, Supervisor Wilson attended a virtual Aetna Mental Well-Being hosted by the county The poll worker training schedule has been sent to all poll workers. Training is scheduled to begin on  an interest in continuing the process to become a poll worker. cybersecurity hosted by the Secretary of State's office and CISA.  county employee.  submitted a request for training.  Village.  Monday, August 26 and' Wednesday, August 28 in Forsyth, GA.  for the Mental Health First Aiders.  Thursday, September 5 and will continue until Friday, October 4.    The poll worker availability form has been sent to all poll workers to obtain their availability for Advance  Voting and Election Day. September 4 September 9 September 18 September 23 September. 25 Communications  Calendar for Poll Worker and Outreach Upcoming Events  New Poll Worker Preview Session New Poll Worker Preview Session New Poll Worker Preview! Session New Poll Worker Preview Session New Poll Worker Preview Session  Department web page views: 10,159 Press releases issued: 1 Social media posts: 9 Billboard messages:0  Calendar of Upcoming Events regarding events that fall on holidays)  2024 Election Dates (dates calculated internally; SOS has posted with: some outstanding questions March48-CandidatQualsyngforihneay2024Genera-PAmayandNOAParisan-Genera.  Election  Mareh:2-PesdenlaPPelerente-Pman, Ma/2:GeneraiPamays.AompaRsan-Senera-fection RCARAYAe November 5: General Election & Special Elections December 3: General Election Runoff  2024 October 1 November 11 November 12 November 12 December 10  BRE regular monthly meeting Veteran's Day; county holiday; offices closed BRE regular monthly meeting Election certification BRE regular monthly meeting  November 28 &29 Thanksgiving; county holiday; offices closed December 248 &25 Christmas; county holiday; offices closed  2025 Election Dates (dates calculated internally based on HB 13122024 legislation)  Tuesday, June 17,2025: Special Primary for the Public Service Commission (PSC) District 2 and 3 o Candidate Qualifying: week of March 31, 2025 (11th week prior to the special primary; Advance Voting: Tuesday, 05/27-Friday, 06/13/25 (no voting on Monday, 05/26/25 in  duration-2 Y days)  observance of Memorial Dayh holiday)  Tuesday, July 15, 2025: possible Primary Runoff date, if needed Tuesday, November 4, 2025: City of Cumming Municipal General Election o Mayor, City Council Post 1 (Crane) and Post: 2 (Evans) Tuesday, November 4, 2025: Special Election for PSC, District 2 and 3    Advance Voting: Tuesday, 10/14-Friday, 10/31/25 (no voting on Monday, 10/13/25 due to the  state observed Columbus Day holiday)  Tuesday, December 2, 2025: General Election Runoff date, if needed  Respectfully Submitted, Mandi Smith  Director, Voter Registrations & Elections IX. Recess Regular Meeting  X.  Executive Session (if needed)  There was no need for an executive session.  XI. Adjournment  Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to  adjourn at 10:09 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.  *Public comments allowed specific to agenda item  The above and foregoing minutes are hereby certified as being correct and ordered recorded.  Today's Date:  October 1, 2024  30mLlSh Barbara Luth, Chairman, Joel E. Natt, Vice Chairman lkpbb Carla Radzikinas, Secretary Not in AHendance Anita Tucker, Assistant Secretary BIR    Member