DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections Meeting – August 3, 2026

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections held a regularly scheduled meeting on August 3, 2026, beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m. A quorum was present with members Vasuabi Rahman, Travis Bowden, Gil Lee, Dale Loman, and Carly Swift. The board approved the agenda and the minutes from the July 9 and July 30 meetings unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda by voice vote.
• Approved the minutes from July 9 and July 30 meetings by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

Certification of the July 28 Special Election

• Director Smith presented a post-election report for the Congressional District 13 special election held on July 28, 2026.
• Key statistics: 14,547 active registered voters in the district; 9,675 ballots cast (6.7% turnout). Early voting: 609 ballots; mail ballots: 27 received and processed, one cured (missing signature); no provisional ballots. Four precincts were open with 25 poll officials, 28 poll pads, 40 touch screens, and 12 scanners. The election was described as smooth, with no rejected ballots.
• Board members thanked staff and expressed satisfaction with the process. Travis Bowden noted the hard work; Dale Loman expressed hope for higher turnout; others echoed thanks.
• The board unanimously voted to certify the July 28 special election.

Polling Place Changes

• First Change – La Vista Road Precinct: Congregation Beth Jacob will no longer host the polling location. The new location is Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 0.2 miles from the center of the precinct (about 0.3 miles drive). The change affects 4,832 voters. Director Smith noted the change is likely permanent. Voters will receive updated precinct cards and notifications via signage and the legal organ (The Champion). Robocalls were not planned but will be explored. Unanimous motion to approve.
• Second Change – Cross Keys High and Woodward Precincts: These precincts, which had temporarily relocated to Woodward Elementary School during the primary, will remain at Woodward Elementary for the November general election due to construction at the original elementary school. Voters will be notified again. Unanimous motion to approve.

Special Elections Added to November 3 General Election

• Director Smith requested authorization to execute agreements with the cities of Brookhaven and Doraville to add their special elections to the November 3, 2026 ballot. The standard Exhibit A language allows any eligible county voter to vote at any early voting location. Board member Gil Lee questioned whether advanced voting for Brookhaven would be limited to the Memorial Drive location; the director clarified the language is standard. The attorney stated it is fine for now but may be reviewed later. Unanimous motion to approve.

Director's Report

• Voter registration statistics as of July 31, 2026: 572,547 total registered voters (501,106 active; 71,441 inactive).
• Pending applications: 11,208 (9,816 from DDS, 141 online, 338 My Voter Page, 913 handwritten). A blackout period is in effect for the federal runoff; other applications will be processed after the window closes.
• Staff is aware of unsolicited third-party mailings of applications and is handling them carefully.
• Returned mail: 205 pieces remaining (precinct cards, SOS notices, etc.).
• Post-election risk-limiting audit and ballot image audit scheduled for Thursday, August 6, expected to finish by noon using only existing staff.
• Preparations for the August 25 runoff election: early voting will use 15 touch screens (10 deployed), 2 scanners (1 deployed), 4 poll pads (2 deployed); election day will use 25 touch screens (20 deployed), 8 scanners (4 deployed), 16 poll pads (8 deployed).
• Budget: $8,709,867.25 remaining; larger expenses anticipated in Q3/Q4. Director Smith expressed confidence in staying within budget but noted that additional funding may be requested if needed. Board member Dale Loman asked about unsolicited application sources (to be shared offline) and potential budgetary impacts from legislative changes.

Legislative Update

• The legislature has not been in session; no formal update was provided.
• Board member Vasuabi Rahman noted that a committee was formed pursuant to recent legislation, and members were appointed. At the meeting, Attorney Petty identified the appointees: Co-chairs Senator Max Burns and Representative Tim Fleming; Senators Bo Hatchett and Rick Williams; Representative Scott Holcomb; citizens Deedra Holden, Chris Harvey, and Sam Hatcher.
• Board member Dale Loman expressed disappointment that only Republican members were appointed to the Senate subcommittee despite promises, stating the decisions affect all voters regardless of affiliation.

Board Comments

• Vasuabi Rahman thanked staff for ongoing election work.
• Dale Loman thanked staff and poll workers, shared personal experiences visiting museums highlighting the history of voting rights, and emphasized the importance of participation.
• Gil Lee thanked staff and volunteers for dedication over six months and praised the zero discrepancies in the July election.
• Travis Bowden commended the team's ethical and forthright work and thanked attendees and viewers.
• Chair Carly Swift thanked staff, law department, and reminded of the August 25 runoff election for Congressional District 13 (about 14,000 eligible voters) and the upcoming pre-certification meeting on August 28 and certification on August 31.

Key Outcomes

• Certification: Unanimously approved certification of the July 28 special election.
• First Polling Place Change (La Vista Road): Unanimously approved to move from Congregation Beth Jacob to Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (permanent).
• Second Polling Place Change (Cross Keys High/Woodward): Unanimously approved to remain at Woodward Elementary School for November.
• Special Elections for Brookhaven and Doraville: Unanimously approved authorizing agreements for November 3, 2026.
• Meeting Adjourned: Unanimously approved after board comments.