Forsyth County Board of Voter Registrations & Elections Regular Monthly Meeting January 7, 2025 at 9 a.m. Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Office 1201 Sawnee Drive Cumming, Georgia 30040 MINUTES Present at the meeting: Barbara Luth, Chairman Joel Natt, Vice Chairman Anita Tucker, Secretary Carla Radzikinas, Assistant Secretary Mandi Smith, Director Carol Balcome, Assistant to the Director Bryce Wilson, Supervisor, Communications & Training Jamain Whyce, Supervisor, Elections Equipment & Warehouse Karen Pachuta, Jarrard & Davis 1. Call Meeting to Order Chairman Luth called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Adoption of Agenda Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Tucker made a motion to adopt the agenda as published. Motion carried unanimously. Director Smith asked the board to amend the agenda and add the item March Voter Challenges. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to amend the agenda and add March Voter Challenges to New Business #5. Motion carried unanimously. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. IV. Election of Officers Secretary Radzikinas with a second from Assistant Secretary Tucker made a motion to nominate Joel Natt for Vice Chairman. Motion carried unanimously. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to nominate Anita Tucker as Secretary. Motion carried unanimously. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Tucker made a motion to nominate Carla Radzikinas as Assistant Secretary. Motion carried unanimously. V. Adoption of Minutes A. Regular meeting of December 10, 2024 Secretary Tucker with a second from Assistant Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to adopt the minutes as prepared by staff. Motion carried unanimously. VI. Public Comments There were no public comments. VII. Old Business A. Postmortem 2024 General Election The Board briefly discussed the 2024 General Election. Chairman Luth and Vice Chairman Natt heard positive comments from voters and poll workers. VIII. New Business A. 2025 Public Service Commission and City of Cumming Elections 1. June 17, 2025 Public Service Commission Primary Election a. Advance Voting locations, dates and hours The Board discussed possible dates, hours and locations for Advance Voting. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to set the Elections Office as the location where Advance Voting will be held all required weekdays and Saturdays for three weeks beginning May 27 and to open three additional locations (Sharon Springs Park Community Building, Midway Park Community Building, Hampton Park Library) for Advance Voting for only the third week of Advance Voting, June 9- 13. Motion carried unanimously. Director Smith said if Sharon Springs Park Community Building was not available due to construction she would come back to the Board with alternative locations. The Board discussed voting on one of two Sundays. Secretary Tucker with a second from Vice Chairman Natt made a motion to hold Advance Voting at the Elections Office on one optional Sunday voting day, June 1. Motion carried unanimously. The Board discussed possible voting hours. Secretary Tucker with a second from Vice Chairman Natt made a motion to hold Advance Voting each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Secretary Tucker made a motion that their discussion regarding Advance Voting hours will be for the 2025 Election Cycle. Motion carried 3-1 with Assistant Secretary Radzikinas opposed. The original motion to hold Advance Voting from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. failed 1-3 with Chairman Luth, Vice Chairman Natt and Assistant Secretary Radzikinas opposed. Chairman Luth with a second from Vice Chairman Natt made a motion to hold Advance Voting each day in the 2025 election cycle, with the exception of Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motion carried 3-1 with Secretary Tucker opposed. Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Radzikinas made a motion that Advance Voting hours on Sunday for the 2025 Election Cycle will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motion carried 3-1 with Secretary Tucker opposed. b. Drop box location(s) Chairman Luth with a second from Vice Chairman Natt made a motion the drop box will be located at the Elections Office. Motion carried unanimously. 2. July 15, 2025 Public Service Commission Primary Election Runoff, if needed a. Advance Voting locations, dates and hours Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Chairman Luth made a motion the drop box will be located at the Elections Office, Advance Voting will take place from July 7-11 at the Elections Office, Sharon Springs Park Community Building, Midway Park Community Building and Hampton Park Library and the Advance Voting hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motion carried 3-1 with Secretary Tucker opposed. b. Drop box location(s) See previous motion. 3. November 4, 2025 Public Service Commission and City of Cumming General Election a. Advance Voting locations, dates and hours Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to set the Elections Office as the location where Advance Voting will be held all required weekdays and Saturdays for three weeks beginning October 13 and to open three additional locations (Sharon Springs Park Community Building, Midway Park Community Building, Hampton Park Library) for Advance Voting for only the third week of Advance Voting, October 27-31. Motion carried unanimously. Vice Chairman Natt asked Director Smith and Attorney Pachuta to check with the City of Cumming on whether they would like their Advance Voting to be held at the Elections Office. He would like their response to be in writing and reported at the next Board meeting. Secretary Tucker with a second from Assistant Secretary Radzikinas made a motion to hold Advance Voting at the Elections Office on one optional Sunday voting day, October 19. Motion carried unanimously. b. Drop box location(s) Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Chairman Luth made a motion the drop box will be located at the Elections Office. Motion carried unanimously. 4. December 2, 2025 Public Service Commission and City of Cumming General Election Runoff, if needed a. Advance Voting locations, dates and hours Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Radzikinas made a motion if there is a Public Service Commissioner runoff Advance Voting will take place from November 24-26 at the Elections Office, Sharon Springs Park Community Building, Midway Park Community Building and Hampton Park Library. If there is a City of Cumming runoff Advance Voting will take place at the Elections Office only. Motion carried unanimously. b. Drop box location(s) Vice Chairman Natt with a second from Assistant Secretary Radzikinas made a motion the drop box will be located at the Elections Office. Motion carried unanimously. Agenda Item Added: 5. March Voter Challenges Director Smith stated during the December meeting discussion regarding challenges pursuant to 21-2-229 she told the Board Challenger Lori Wexler wanted her challenges pursuant to 21-2-230 not to proceed and be heard under O.C.G.A. 21-2-229. Director Smith asked for clarification regarding these challenges and whether the Board considered them to be withdrawn. Vice Chairman Natt stated the Board's intention was to not move forward with Lori Wexler's challenges. Vice Chairman Natt asked Director Smith to send a letter stating this to Lori Wexler. Secretary Tucker asked Attorney Pachuta if the Board is compelled to consider the challenges pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-230 from the November 2024 election under challenges pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-228 or 21-2-230. Attorney Pachuta confirmed the board is not compelled by the current statutes to automatically review the registered voters that were challenged by Ms. Wexler pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-230 for the November, 2024 election for any voters that did not vote or update their registrations. IX. Director's Report Director Smith presented the Director's Report. Voter Registrations & Elections Department Director's Report January 7, 2025 Board Members House Bill 837 was not passed during the 2024 legislative session. Additional legislation to clarify the term start and end date of the BRE members will need to be considered during the next legislative session. Board Party Took Office Current Current Member Term Start Term End Barbara Luth Chief Registrar & 04/02/2019* 07/01/2021 06/30/2025 Chairperson Joel E. Natt Republican 02/03/2015* 09/01/2023 06/30/2027 Anita Tucker Democratic 03/01/2022* 09/01/2023 06/30/2027 Carla Radzikinas Republican 04/04/2016* 09/01/2021 08/31/2025 Vacant** Democratic 08/31/2025 **Dan Thalimer submitted his official resignation on November 14, 2024. It was officially accepted by the Board of Commissioner's during their November 21, 2024 meeting. Steps are underway to fill the vacant position. *Filled the unexpired term of outgoing member Staff Current filled staff/positions: 11 full-time (2 unfilled) and 6 part-time (0 unfilled). Legislation pending/approved bills)/Change to Election Code/State Election Board (SEB) Election Information 2025 Election Dates (dates calculated internally based on HB 1312 2024 legislation) Tuesday, June 17, 2025: Special Primary for the Public Service Commissioner (PSC) District 2 and 3 , Candidate Qualifying: April 1 through April 3, 2025 (11th week prior to the special primary; duration=2 % days) ) Advance Voting: Tuesday, 05/27-Friday, 06/13/25 (no voting on Monday, 05/26/25 in observance of Memorial Day holiday) Tuesday,J July 15, 2025: possible Primary Runoff date, if needed Tuesday, November 4, 2025: City of Cumming Municipal General Election Mayor, City Council Post 1 (Crane) and Post 2 (Evans) Candidate Qualifying: week of August 18 (minimum of 3 days) Tuesday, November 4, 2025: General Election for PSC, District 2 and 3 O 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 Candidate Qualifying Candidate qualifying for the Public Service Commission Districts 2 and 3 has been set for April 1 (9:00 a.m.) through April 3, 2025 (noon). Qualifying for these contests will take place with the Secretary of State's Office. Candidate qualifying for the City of Cumming Municipal General Election will take place the week of August 18 for a minimum of two and a half days. There are three contests up for election in 2025: Mayor, City Council Post 1 (Crane) and City Council Post 2 (Evans). Qualifying for these contests will take place with the Cumming City Clerk. Polling Places and Precincts and Redistricting All polling places have been notified of the 2025 election calendar. Staff are awaiting responses from all locations to confirm their availability for all elections in 2025. Staff are currently reviewing annexations that have taken place by the City of Cumming since 2023. The City of Cumming voting precinct lines will need to be updated to accommodate any changes that have occurred. Department of Parks and Recreation Ethics Reporting / Candidate Qualifying Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR): Reports due following the State Ethics Commission's schedule. In 2025, candidates and elected officials will follow the Non-Election Year schedule. 2025 CCDR Due Dates: Non-FlectionYear June 30 five-business day grace period December 31 five-business day grace period 2024 PFDS Filing Period: Non-Election Year January 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025 Personal Finance Disclosure Statements (PFDS) are financial reports for the previous calendar year. PFDSS do not have a grace period. Open Records Request(s) (ORR) Number in parenthesis indicates the number from the same month last year # received b/w 12/01/2024 - 12/31/2024 1 (1) 2024 Cumulative 55 2023 Cumulative 51 2022 Cumulative 109 2021 Cumulative 48 Budget / Finance Voter Registration Voter Registration Statistics by Status: As of January 2, 2025 Countywide Total registered voters: 184,377 (178,205) Active voters: 169,341 (160,792) Inactive voters: 15,036 (17,413) City of Cumming Total registered voters: 4,761 (4,320) Active voters: 4,344 (3,844) Inactive voters: 417 (476) Pending voters Total: 560 Pending age 93 Pending verification 190 Pending missing/incomplete/incorrect information 7 Pending citizenship 270 Challenged voters Total: 289 Felon 29 Voter challenge 0 Cancelled voters Total: 284 Deceased 198 Felon 65 Hearing 0 Mentally Incompetent 0 Moved out of county Not available Moved out of state 19 No Activity for 2 General Election cycles 0 Not verified 0 Voter requested 2 Notes: **An MOC report is not currently available in GARVIS. Voter Registration Activities Voter registration processing and list maintenance activities resumed in the month of December 2024 after the conclusion of the December Runoffs in other counties. Voter Challenges The voter challenge hearing pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-229 submitted by Stansilaw Debczynski on Sunday, September 22, 2024 remains postponed pending additional communication with the challenger. In the December 2024 regular monthly meeting, the BRE voted to set the date for those voter challenges that were submitted pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-230 for the November 2024 General Election and were upheld by the BRE for March 4, 2025. Those challenges will be considered by the BRE pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-229 at their March meeting. Additionally, the BRE voted to set the date for any voter challenges submitted by February 7, 2025 for March 4, 2025, Election Equipment / Supplies Routine charging and inventory of the touchscreens and printers are complete. Routine charging and inventory of ballot scanners, UPS units, and Poll Pads are ongoing. S&T/Software/Hardware Building Update Disaster Recovery Training/Outreach In the month of December, two Poll Management Recap Rap Sessions were held for Poll Managers and Assistant Managers to provide feedback on their experiences during the recent election. They provided much positive feedback along with suggestions for future elections. Staff is in the process of reviewing supplies and training materials for the 2025 election cycle. Calendar for Poll Worker and Outreach Upcoming Events Communications Department web page views: 1,468 Press releases issued: 0 Social media posts: 4 Billboard messages: 0 Calendar of Upcoming Events 2025 February 4 BRE regular monthly meeting January 20 Martin Luther King. Jr. Day; county holiday; offices closed March 4 BRE regular monthly meeting Aprit 1 BRE regular monthly meeting May 6 BRE regular monthly meeting May 26 Memorial Day; county holiday; offices closed June 3 BRE regular monthly meeting (meeting to be held in CMR at Admin Bldg) June 17 Special General Primary Election Day July 1 BRE regular monthly meeting July 4 Independence Day; county holiday; offices closed July 15 Special General Primary Runoff Election Day, if needed August 5 BRE regular monthly meeting September 1 Labor Day; county holiday; offices closed September 2 BRE regular monthly meeting October 7 BRE regular monthly meeting November 4 General Election Election Day November 10 BRE regular monthly meeting (Monday) November 11 Veteran's Day; county holiday; offices closed November 27 & 28 Thanksgiving; county holiday; offices closed December 2 General Election Runoff Election Day, if needed December 8 BRE regular monthly meeting (Monday) December 24 & 25 Christmas; county holiday; offices closed Respectfully Submitted, Mandi Smith Director, Voter Registrations & Elections X. Recess Regular Meeting XI. Executive Session (if needed) There was no Executive Session needed. XII. Adjournment Chairman Luth with a second from Vice Chairman Natt made a motion to adjourn at 10:02 a.m. Motion carried unanimously. The above and foregoing minutes are hereby certified as being correct and ordered recorded. Today's Date: February 4, 2025 Bsw SH Barbara Luth, Chairman doel E. Natt, Vice Chairman h Tuebo Anita Tucker, Secretary Bail Bdgibuss Carla Radzikinas, Assistant Secretary