DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Board of Registration and Elections held a regularly scheduled meeting on June 23, 2026, at 12:30 PM. Key actions included certifying the June 16 runoff election, approving early voting dates and locations for the July 28 CD-13 special election, and receiving updates on legislation affecting QR codes and hand recounts. Public comments addressed election integrity concerns and advocacy for expanded early voting access.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: The agenda was amended to add a resolution for decision (proposed by board member Lee) via a 3-2 vote, then approved unanimously.
• Minutes: Minutes from the May 22 pre-certification meeting were deferred to the next meeting. Minutes from the May 26 certification meeting were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cheryl Dudley (DeKalb County resident): Expressed gratitude for the board's work and voiced opposition to state Senate bills containing questionable provisions, including QR code delays to 2028 and other restrictions, calling some provisions "frightening for democracy."
• Jackie Malcolm (DeKalb County resident): Supported commissioner-elect Kiana Jones Moore, referencing the 60% vs. 30% election outcome, and opposed backdoor deals and state bills that could move the county backward.
• Nancy Arnold (online comment, DeKalb County resident): Urged transitioning to hand-marked paper ballots counted on optical scanners, citing unverifiable QR code ballots and urging use of the July 28 special election as a low-risk opportunity for implementation.
• Beth Ann Frellman (in-person): Noted resolution on QR code for the fall, then advocated for filling early voting gaps in the City of Decatur, near South DeKalb Mall, east of Chamblee, and east of Stone Mountain near Wade Walker.

Discussion Items

• Certification of June 16 Runoff Election: Director Smith presented the post-election report: 69,329 ballots cast (14% turnout among 495,076 active voters), with 38,511 on Election Day, 28,818 early, 1,957 absentee by mail, and 43 provisional. Staff resolved pre-certification discrepancies: two unknown voters at Memorial and Neighborhood Church could not be awarded credit (insufficient to change outcome). The board unanimously voted to certify the election.
• July 28 CD-13 Special Election Early Voting: The board approved two motions:
  1. General Election: One early voting location (County Line Ellenwood Library), dates July 6–24, Monday–Friday 7 AM–7 PM, Saturdays July 11 & 18 (9 AM–6 PM), Sundays July 12 & 19 (12 PM–5 PM).
  2. Potential Runoff: Same location, dates August 15–21, including Saturday August 15 (9 AM–6 PM) and Sunday August 16 (12 PM–5 PM), with weekdays 7 AM–7 PM. Board discussion included preferences for uniform Sunday hours (12–5 PM) and consideration of low turnout for special elections.
• Director's Report: Registration totals (569,626 total, 497,141 active), backlog of 12,963 applications (addressed with additional staffing). New budget format added an "actuals" column; negative line items were explained (Quadient contract cancellation, chargebacks). Upcoming events: risk-limiting audit for runoff, then pivot to CD-13 special. Statewide recount for PSC race (margin <0.5%) confirmed no change in certified totals.
• Legislative Update: Counsel reported that the General Assembly passed a bill addressing the QR code issue: delays implementation to January 1, 2028, creates a study committee, and requires manual recounts for top two races with margin <0.5% (state reimburses counties). Board noted need to review final bill.

Key Outcomes

• Certification of June 16 runoff approved unanimously.
• Early voting schedule for July 28 CD-13 special election approved (two motions: one for the general election, one for a potential runoff).
• Deferral of May 22 minutes approved.
• Approval of May 26 minutes approved.
• Executive session held for litigation discussion; meeting adjourned thereafter.