Board of Elections
Regular MeetingAthens-Clarke County, GA · May 11, 2021
Minutes
Minutes - Regular Meeting
Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections & Voter Registration
April 13, 2021 @ 4:30pm
Due to COVID-19 precautions, this meeting was livestreamed at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTrB6f5PM7k&
Chair Fambrough called the meeting to order at 4:30.
In attendance were Willa Fambrough, Chairperson; Rocky Raffle, Vice Chairperson; Adam Shirley,
Secretary; Ann Till, Member; and Hank Qadir, Member.
Others in attendance were Blaine Williams, County Manager; Charlotte Sosebee, Director; Lisa
McGlaun, Elections Assistant; Pamela Long, Elections Assistant; Aletha Perkins, Administrative
Assistant; Judd Drake, County Attorney; and Sherrie Hines, Assistant County Attorney.
A. The Board Member Oath of Office (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-70) was read by Mr. Shirley.
B. MOTION by Mr. Raffle to adopt the agenda. Seconded by Mr. Qadir. Passed unanimously.
C. MOTION by Mr. Raffle to approve the Minutes from March 9, 2021, regular meeting; March
23, 2021, special called meeting; and April 9, 2021, special called meeting. Seconded by Mr.
Shirley. Passed unanimously.
D. Public Comment was read from Donna Carter and Jacqueline Elsner.
E. Director Sosebee shared the Director’s Report.
F. Executive Session
1. MOTION by Mr. Raffle to suspend the meeting to go into Executive Session to
discuss pending litigation. Seconded by Mr. Shirley. Passed unanimously.
2. Entered executive session at 5:02.
3. MOTION by Mr. Raffle to return to regular session. Seconded by Mr. Qadir. Passed
unanimously.
4. Returned to regular session at 5:13.
G. Old Business
1. MOTION by Ms. Till that BOE ACC Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections and
Voter Registration direct Director Sosebee respond to the investigator asking for a
more detailed request for the UOCAVA ballot and get information regarding the
authorization to proceed legally. Seconded by Mr. Qadir. Yea: Ms. Fambrough, Mr.
Qadir, Mr. Shirley, Ms. Till. Nay: Mr. Raffle.
H. New Business
1. Discussion of concerns raised at March special meeting about the duties of the
superintendent (relating to O.C.G.A.§ 21-2-70)
a. Attorney Drake and Attorney Hines clarified that the five-member Athens-Clarke
County Board of Elections is clearly and without question empowered as the
election superintendent.
2. MOTION by Ms. Till that we table the remainder of the agenda until the next
meeting. Seconded by Mr. Shirley. Approved unanimously.
I. Announcements
1. May Regular Meeting
a. May 11, 2021 @ 4:30pm
J. MOTION by Ms. Till to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Raffle. Passed unanimously.
Adjourned at 6:43.
Agenda
Agenda - Regular Meeting
Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections & Voter Registration
May 11, 2021 @ 4:30pm
Due to COVID-19 precautions, this meeting will be livestreamed.
Bylaws of the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections and Voter Registration (bit.ly/accboerbylaws)
A. Reading of the Board Member Oath of Office (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-70)
“I do swear (or affirm) that I will as a member of the board of elections duly attend all
ensuing primaries and elections during the continuance thereof, that I will to the best of
my ability prevent any fraud, deceit, or abuse in carrying on the same, that I will make a
true and perfect return of such primaries and elections, and that I will at all times truly,
impartially, and faithfully perform my duties in accordance with Georgia laws to the best of
my judgment and ability.”
B. Adopt Agenda
C. Approve Minutes from April 13, 2021, regular meeting and Minutes from that meeting’s
executive session
D. Public Comment
Written comment may be emailed to the board members or delivered to the Athens-Clarke
County Board of Elections office before the start of the meeting.
Willa Fambrough, Chairperson (willa.fambrough@accgov.com)
Rocky Raffle, Vice Chairperson (rocky.raffle@accgov.com)
Adam Shirley, Secretary (adam.shirley@accgov.com)
Ann Till, Member (patricia.till@accgov.com)
Hank Qadir, Member (hunaid.qadir@accgov.com)
E. Director’s Report
F. Executive Session
G. Old Business
1. Discussion of voter education (tabled until budget approved)
a. Providing voters with basic information about elected offices
b. Informing citizens how new laws affect their election activities
● Voters
● Voter registration groups
● People who assist voters waiting in line
2. GIS update (tabled until June retreat and Census data received)
3. Election administration with respect to newly-enacted legislation (remaining from April
meeting)
a. New process for verification of authenticity of absentee ballot application and
absentee ballot envelope
● No signature check
b. Shorter turnaround time between general election and runoff
c. Update on changes to provisional balloting
d. How best to educate UOCAVA voters about ranked-choice voting
● Who will notify these voters?
4. Budget with respect to newly-enacted legislation (tabled from previous meeting)
a. New costs arising from Dominion support shifting to local budget instead of state
(extended warranties)
b. Changed requirements for absentee ballot paper
5. Update on Secretary of State request with assistance with signature audit
6. Request from Mr. Paul Cain, Investigator for the Secretary of State, regarding absentee
ballot materials for one elector
7. Update from board members working on criteria for polling locations
8. Meeting videos are currently Unlisted when they should be Public
H. New Business
1. Programming for June retreat
a. What board members would like to get from the retreat
2. Agendas
I. Announcements
1. June Regular Meeting
a. June 8, 2021 @ 4:30pm
J. Adjourn
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