Cherokee County les GEORGIA  Anne Dover Director 193 Lamar Haley Parkway Canton, Georgia 30114 Phone: 770-479-0407  Elections & Registration  MEETING MINUTES BOARD OF ELECTIONS. AND VOTER. REGISTRATION Northside Cherokee/Bluffs Conference Center 1130 Bluffs Parkway Canton, GA 30114 Monday, October 7, 2024- 9:30am  Moment of Silence, Meditation, or Prayer: Led by Lynne Saunders, CEO and Executive Director of Encompass Ministries and Chairman of Cherokee County Ministerial Association 9:30  AM  Pledge ofAllegiance: Led by John Wallace Call to Order: Chair Glen Johnson 9:33 AM  Members Present: Chair - Glen Johnson, Vice Chair-J Julie Glade, Secretary Larry Hand, Scott  Little,John Wallace  Others Present: Executive Director Anne Dover and three BOER staff members.  Approval ofMonthly Board Meeting Agenda: Member Glade made a motion to approve the Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes September 9, 2024: Member Little made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2024, meeting; Second by Member Wallace. Motion carries Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes October 3, 2024: Member Hand made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2024, meeting; Second by Member Wallace. Motion carries 5-  agenda; Second by Member Wallace. Motion carries 5-0.  4-0-labstention.  0.  Director's Report  Director Dover advised that the BOER had received almost 8,000 mail-in ballot requests and that the Director Dover also advised that this was the last day to register to vote and the number of registered voters for the county was very likely to exceed 200,000 and, that ift that becomes the case, there will be a need for additional plans, but those plans will not be considered unless the number of registered Director Dover introduced staff member Donna Kosicki who gave the second presentation of a Voter Education Program that will be conducted by the BOER staff beginning in 2025. This program will describe the various resources that voters have available concerning the election schedules, thet types  ballots were beginning to be mailed out.  voters reaches 200,000.    ofvoting available, and the overall election processes. This program will be offered tot the publicand will be conducted at the BOER office on multiple dates in 2025. Staff member Kosicki's second  presentation covered:  Voter Education Update What's on the Ballot? Important Election Details Key Resources Old Business: None New Business:  Signage - Member Glade addressed a request from a voter to post signage at polling locations that Member Glade made a motion to decline the request, and for the BOER to continue posting only the signs specifically required by the election statute. The motion was seconded by Member Wallace. Discussion points included that there could be problems with the requested signage, including voter intimidation, and the Board should simply comply with what thel law requires. We have signs regarding weapons that comply with the election statute and these are: satisfactory. The GA Criminal Code states that persons can't bring firearms or weapons to polling locations, and it does not define weapons"-ifwet try to define this, there will always be something that can be missed. Thes spirit of the. law is toi make sure people are not intimidated or harassed by weapons. Also, we occasionally have to move locations, staff and voters. Different weapons laws apply to schools and churches. Specifying could create confusion in the event wel have to move. locations.  details weapons that are permissible at polling locations.  The motion was called to a vote and the motion passed 5-0.  Pre-Certification Hand Count Audit - There was a discussion oft the possibility of a hand count before the Certification of the November 5, 2024, General Election. Members commented thati they will consider hand count and audit issues between now and our November. 4 meeting. Member Wallace mentioned that Risk Limiting Audits are designated by law. The Board knows that the Board will be auditing the Presidential race because it is the only statewide election. The Board does not want to conduct a Presidential race audit prior to County certification, then have the Secretary of State tell the Board to audit the same race again for the RLA. Itwould be better to audit Stated that thel BOER should count ballots from at least one precinct in the follow districts: Rep.John Carson's, Rep. Jordan Ridley and Sen. John Albers instead oft the Presidential race ballots which will bei required in our RLA. Member Glade stated that the BOE will be putting a lot oft thought into the structure ofaudits, including how and when they will be conducted. Itmakes sense to audit down ballot races, and the Board is actively looking at options. The new State Election Board rules may Member Wallace made a motion toi table the discussion. Seconded by Member Hand. Motion passed  contested local races, to give the public verification. Member Wallace  impact these decisions, and the Board is waiting for direction from the courts.  5-0  Public Comments: (3 minutes pre-person) Speaker #1: Bob Scarpetti - Handout provided  Speaker #2: Beth Mercure Speaker #3: Brenda Reprieto Speaker #4: Rita Rohrssen    Speaker #5: Bruce Burnaman Speaker #6: Jan Morrow Board Comments:  Member Glade mentioned how hard the elections staffi is working. We are fortunate to have such a stellar team on our staff who pays attention to accuracy and follows thel law. We are well-situated and prepared to manage the general election. Approaching members oft the legislature is the most effective way to make changes. Those that] havel lobbied thel legislature have made progress toward Member Wallace stated that wel have an excellent staff. BOE members work together with the staff to ensure that the elections are conducted properly. There are a lot of election board rules and laws that cover the entire state, and they can't be customized by county. While these rules add to everybody'sv work load, the BOE: and the staff are: scrupulous in our review, and in the process, we haven'ti found any errors. We have to use the machines that thel legislature mandates. The 2025 legislative session is coming sot that is a good time to lobby. Whatever rules they pass, we follow. Our  their goals.  staff does really well with following the law as it changes.  Member Hand added that the BOE appreciates the staff's hard work.  Chair Johnson reported that he is amazed with thel level of diligence oft the elections staff. Cherokee County goes above and beyond to make sure that each vote is counted and tabulated properly. Wes set Adjournment: Member Hand made aj motion to adjourn: Second by Member Glade. Motion  the example for the rest oft the state.  carriers5 5/0. Meeting adjourned at 10:34 AM.  Larry Hand, Secretary CER