Board of Elections

Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections Minutes for December 4, 2018 The monthly meeting of the Athens- Clarke County Board of Elections was held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at the Board of Elections Office (Storage Facility), 2555 Lexington Rd., Athens, Georgia. The meeting was called to order at 3: 22 p. m. by Charles Knapper, Chairman Other Members Present: Michele Simpson, Vice Chairperson; Walter Wilson, Secretary Alison McCullick, Board Member, Jesse Evans, Board Member Others Present: Charlotte Sosebee, Director; Wanda Raley, Recording Clerk A. Approve Minutes of Prior Meetings 1. October 2, 2018( 02: 52)- After discussion, Alison McCullick made a motion to accept minutes as amended ( See Minutes- 10. 02. 18 AMENDED 12. 04. 18). Motion was seconded by Michele Simpson. Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. 2. November 6, 2018 ( 10: 59) - After discussion, Michele Simpson made a motion to accept minutes as amended ( See Minutes- 11. 06. 18 AMENDED 12. 04. 18). Motion was seconded by Jesse Evans. Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. 3. November 9, 2018( 14: 57) - After discussion, Michele Simpson made a motion to accept minutes as amended ( See Minutes- 11. 09. 18 AMENDED 12. 04. 18). Motion was seconded by Jesse Evans. Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. 4. November 12, 2018 ( 16: 28) - After discussion, Jesse Evans made a motion to accept minutes as amended ( See Minutes- 11. 12. 18 AMENDED 12. 04. 18). Motion was seconded by Michele Simpson. Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. 5. November 13, 2018( 22:49) - After discussion, Alison McCullick made a motion to accept minutes as amended ( See Minutes- 11. 13. 18 AMENDED 12. 04. 18). Motion was seconded by Michele Simpson. Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. B. Adopt Agenda (45: 05) 1. Jesse Evans made a motion that " New Business" be added as an agenda item after Report from Bill Berryman." He stated that he would like to discuss the email he sent on November 27 enquiring into inaccurate results sent to Secretary of State as" Official and Complete" Results for the 2018 General Election. Motion was seconded by Walter Wilson. Page 1 of 4 J  Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections Minutes for December 4, 2018 2. Discussion on New Business: i. Alison McCullick suggested that this be discussed in the January Board Meeting, as she also had some information to share regarding voters with literacy challenges. In regard to Jesse' s email, she stated that it would be helpful to her if staff were allowed time to prepare documentation that would allow the Board to better analyze why there is a difference between data on the Secretary of State website and what was approved by the Board. ii. Michele Simpson and Charles Knapper also felt this was a good idea. iii. Charles Knapper asked Charlotte Sosebee if staff was prepared to speak on this today. She stated that her focus has been on the Runoff Election and open records requests that she has received and has not had adequate opportunity to review information in detail. Charlotte stated that she would like to have more time to further review data. iv. Alison McCullick reiterated that it would be wise of the Board to allow staff time to analyze the documents after the Runoff Election. This would provide the staff time to speak with their counterparts in the Secretary of State' s Office and further compare and analyze the data. She felt strongly that the focus should be on reporting correct information back to the Board. v. Jesse Evans questioned Charlotte Sosebee regarding her meeting with Inspector Bagwell. Charlotte stated that Inspector Bagwell suggested that their meeting be postponed until after the Runoff Election. vi. All Board members agreed to table 2018 General Election results discussion regarding until January meeting. 3. Discussion on Public Comment: i. Members felt that allotted time forp ublic comments should be increased to three minutes. 4. Michele Simpson made a motion to accept agenda with increase to three minute public speaking time. Motion was seconded by Alison McCullick. Motion passed with unanimous vote. C. Public Comment (58: 27) 1. Joan Rhoden— Expressed appreciation to Board of Elections Director and staff( 58: 27) 2. Greg Davis— Expressed extended early voting times as he understood them; concerns with lines during early voting and Election Day; confusion with 2018 General Election totals (1: 01: 44) Page 2 of 4  Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections Minutes for December 4, 2018 D. Election Day Update( 1: 07: 01) Charlotte informed Board of the following: 1. Voting location issues. 2. Absentee ballot process beginning this election and moving forward (Attached). 3. Consent order to accept through Friday, December 7, all absentee ballots that are postmarked through 12/ 4/ 18. 4. Documents from provisional voters will be accepted through December 7 until 5: 00 pm. 5. Continue process of counting memory cards as they arrive from the polling locations before they go back to the GEMS Room. E. Certification of December 4 General Runoff Election ( 1: 18: 40) 1. Upload due to State by 5: 00 pm on Monday and to State Patrol Office for delivery on Tuesday 10: 00 am. 2. Charlotte will do a provisional ballot recap and pre3sent absentee ballots in question. 3. After discussion, Walter Wilson made motion to meet for certification on Monday, December 10, at 3: 00 pm at 2555 Lexington Rd. Motion was seconded by Jesse Evans. Motion passed by majority vote. F. Report from Bill Berryman, City Attorney( 1: 35: 18) 1. John Hawkins, Assistant ACC Attorney, presented findings (attached) regarding the Executive Session held by the ACC Board of Elections on September 4, 2018 and offered the following recommendations: i. That the Board amend the minutes of its September 4, 2018 meeting to include a summary of the discussions held during the closed session from approximately 3: 30 pm to 4: 20 pm. ii. That the members of the Board discuss and vote upon, in an upcoming open session, whether to gather data regarding an advance voting site for East Athens during the 2019 elections. iii. That the members of the board attend a training session on the Georgia Open Meeting Ace and Georgia Open Records Ace. The Attorney' s Office is willing to provide this training. iv. That the Board utilize the services of the Attorney' s Office if any future questions arise regarding the Georgia Open Me4eting Ace of the Georgia Open Records Act. Page 3 of 4  Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections Minutes for December 4, 2018 2. These findings prompted a revision of the approved minutes from September 4, 2018. 1: 40:42) i. After discussion, Alison McCullick made motion to accept Section E. of minutes as amended ( See Minutes- 09. 04. 18 2nd AMENDMENT 12. 04. 18). Motion seconded by Michele Simpson. Minutes were approved by unanimous vote. G. Announcements( 2: 18: 22) Next regularly scheduled meeting— January 8, 2019 H. Adjourn (2: 18: 35) Chairman Knapper adjourned the meeting at 5: 22 pm. Page 4 of 4