[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6189837,"mediaKeyId","5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a","parentId",5054949,"title","Elections board authorizes special counsel for conflict and personnel matters","audioSeconds",4726,"startMs",5508000,"endMs",10234000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a&start=5508&end=10234","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a/thumbnail_5508000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189837/Cobb-County/Georgia/Elections-board-authorizes-special-counsel-for-conflict-and-personnel-matters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189837-f737ae5e0ef4f6ae55b1ca3eaaae7c56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142012&Signature=ZDWmAfJVz8qJFOSUZ8K9X7L1YBsVvlB8Dnw53MJWGmoJZzzYFL~4zWf0WLLu5qdJHk-6ItV2LV3Sl4fW5aV68SoqkC~V0YOXvxG89PzMykF02a-z12M2aLHf2SYsm0ajv~CYR0cf0ebQg8keHfZpp800mS~LY-q2cicMqapc6SiWS2ngU-ssulU~eJPz65uV2sNV3Pt1bmrowymeXZHxdX-gxTcxucZSW0s~e6~8A6Zbow~MB9UVnQKOnui4N4FHpuSbMd4315BRogeZwW0ROF1icnwbBaLrSPuq3kWbJDma4XVp-jzAX-hDO3E4QEV4pbUsw7klJoBY7wUjdm5yCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-24T10:38:40Z","article","Following executive session on pending and potential litigation, the Cobb County Board of Elections voted to authorize engagement of special counsel for matters in which the board’s attorney may have a conflict and for personnel matters.

The motion, as read into the public record, authorized the engagement \"as authorized in the Board's engagement agreement with Haney, Litchfield and White,\" and empowered the board chair and vice chair to execute the agreement. The motion was moved and seconded and passed by a 4–0 vote with one member absent.

Board members brought the item forward immediately after executive session. The board also voted earlier to suspend the rules and amend the meeting agenda to add the special counsel item before taking the authorization vote.

No additional details about the scope, fee arrangement or timing of the engagement were discussed in open session; the board recorded the authorization vote as its public action following the executive-session discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration Meeting - 06/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","After executive session, the board authorized engaging special counsel Haney, Litchfield and White for matters where the board's attorney may have a conflict and for personnel issues; the motion passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Cobb County, Georgia","taxId",3733,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6189842,"Cobb County elections board asks commissioners to raise monthly stipends to $600 for chair, $500 for members; requests effective Aug. 1",1683,3165000,4848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a&start=3165&end=4848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a/thumbnail_3165000.jpg","/articles/6189842/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-elections-board-asks-commissioners-to-raise-monthly-stipends-to-600-for-chair-500-for-members-requests-effective-Aug-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189842-40d67574c4a82ff0a005ab9ab95ad92a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142012&Signature=fVUGVQKsqt8Fz~f5dAN3mZr1uV2g6GsWAOIziszPFfVAUNWbgCG5MOqYAx3qHNpuLUr5bvvJJtRPuRP5wknoGFqMRGLCSd40kyrz9TZMsWnQKOGRatblKK2kJ-L2O8DpxLoXdOjB6vUE7iSMXs1vUVmYnbKFobHxyI766pZRI3LUAxV7DQ10ueoSLJoTdaLIuAyk7IDy6otN0d1sPkXKNW3PxIOBd1m16IJh-3QhOBeMHEClm-sL2Tn8gQbcJ7v17jQ8kMafgbMuc3FlkqcvAfFNClH~AyT78mlhA20KFZLEXOKqzdFYlx2sYjzUWrYeqkW6U11DCwpTyJB5m0BV0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cobb County Board of Elections moved to request that the Cobb County Board of Commissioners increase payments to members of the elections board to $500 per month and the chair to $600 per month, with the board asking that the change take effect Aug. 1. The motion passed with three votes in favor, one abstention and one member absent.

Board member Jennifer Mosbacher introduced the topic and circulated comparative figures for neighboring counties. Mosbacher said she reviewed stipends in the metro area and suggested possible increases; she told colleagues she had prepared spreadsheet comparisons and a draft memo for the Board of Commissioners.

Board members noted the current stipends: the chair receives $200 per month and other members receive $150 per month. \"The stipend is exactly the same today as it was in 1991,\" Mr. Bruning said, urging an adjustment. Director Fall and other board members described a heavier workload in recent years — more meetings, frequent special elections and extended election-night hours — and argued the county’s compensation should reflect current demands.

Some members discussed alternatives and differentials for the chair. Member Mosbacher had earlier suggested $350 for members and $400 for the chair based on comparative ratios; other members backed a higher figure to align more closely with Fulton County, which approved a larger stipend in 2023. After discussion, Mr. Bruning moved to request $600 for the chair and $500 for other members, with the request to the Board of Commissioners to be presented outside the regular budget cycle. The motion proposed an Aug. 1 effective date; the board debated whether an Oct. 1 start tied to the fiscal year would be more practical, but the motion as moved and seconded specified Aug. 1 and the board approved it by voice (3 in favor, 1 abstention).

The board asked staff and counsel to prepare a memo for the Board of Commissioners; Director Fall gave deadlines for agenda submission and noted the cutoff for the July 8 BOC meeting was coming in four days. Board members said they plan to follow up in person when the item is scheduled on the commissioners’ agenda.

The motion authorizes staff to present an item requesting an increase to the commissioners; final approval and appropriation of funds rests with the Board of Commissioners and will determine the effective date for payment.","The board voted to ask the Board of Commissioners to raise monthly stipends for election board members, citing decades without adjustment and increased workload; the motion passed with three votes in favor and one abstention.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6189847,"Board approves July early in-person voting schedule for runoff after debate over 12-hour days",468,2647000,3115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a&start=2647&end=3115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a/thumbnail_2647000.jpg","/articles/6189847/Cobb-County/Georgia/Board-approves-July-early-in-person-voting-schedule-for-runoff-after-debate-over-12-hour-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189847-44bb9752f8585d26e696466841ff2db9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142012&Signature=oRv5lTePmHr2LEsu6gvHwUUxXACpsJr3wODmLrZ725RW~GrqEqhblQI-00wxr6S5J2jnmtkqmD3g2CC54o5DZ-W7nnghjfk7Pc~YHe2SqkUdsQ~7HaQBYHUDR5GW4d-7wOvZM779Hkh0dwJbjDtVXLGiI6lWE3c1Cf8fXfUS1GBxWKTXfEGDip6QXKj~Sfbn3D59OPFkvUnJRP~y7SpwCDTFsPtFhZO~NNPqpsMuKg5koTf7nhiYjOrGOaMljMbD-Qq6Dn-EXmxFnRGNyng9f2a7KehLkpTlBKVy7J-1dw-0UeGlo37oDlgr73LoDHBsg4lWCxmIMadr44qZpjVugg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cobb County Board of Elections approved proposed early in-person voting hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Friday, July 7–11, for the July 15 special primary runoff. The four locations will be the elections main office, South Cobb Community Center, East Cobb Government Center and West Cobb Regional Library; each site will also have a drop box.

Director Fall told the board the county typically uses a consistent schedule for runoffs and that Monday is the latest day the county must begin AIP under Georgia law. \"You can start AIP as soon as possible, and so Monday is the last day that you have to start AIP,\" Fall said, adding the proposed schedule mirrored previous runoffs for consistency.

Several board members questioned whether 12-hour days were necessary after a low-turnout primary. \"I'd be hesitant to... I'd actually be better to cut out the morning and the afternoon, as far as voters go,\" said Mr. Bruning, while another member argued for consistency and the access it provides to working voters, noting peaks before and after standard work hours.

Board members discussed staffing rotations and overtime management; Director Fall said managers are rotated to avoid overtime and that the elections team is about 85% staffed for election day.

A motion to approve the AIP schedule for the special primary runoff passed with a 3-1 vote; Miss Fisher recorded the dissent. The board clarified that the three weeks of early voting and two required Saturdays are established by Georgia law and that the county determines hours during the AIP window.

The schedule approval allows staff to proceed with absentee-by-mail mailings, management training and other run-off preparations.","Cobb County elections staff proposed AIP hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 7–11 at four locations; the board approved the schedule 3-1 after members debated whether 12-hour days were necessary given low turnout.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6189852,"Cobb County elections board certifies PSC primary results amid low turnout and data-synchronization questions",1072,1539000,2611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a&start=1539&end=2611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5054949-bdf4b9fb6b117b8f4c882884d0e9455a/thumbnail_1539000.jpg","/articles/6189852/Cobb-County/Georgia/Cobb-County-elections-board-certifies-PSC-primary-results-amid-low-turnout-and-data-synchronization-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189852-94a8f0deee2293ec8698567943fd50db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142012&Signature=T1du9mRNSufkfrzSKtMcfUX56P7tSuo7XhewvOgYZIYVSAZ9sw824h3Pw2jemi9U6HJH4I-YyHESA5olOHDLCdLyyMgXKkesKyuFFYizpFP8ftSd0z3LFEA07~vAkiirQRXlN4DP2HRCYBzlsdr354KIcYbu7uctOogmQwNpei~DGSmrTxOOh7VXsnPG2egwtx0D1iMh3wxeiBF9uKLO1PBVK3g5eM0YSpqVTDRGEHUEGFcEGB3PfRMHaQbszcsexidcZ2rTHoaW~-5XWq5YmKJI-eQsiBx8cqubl6aYzIzAtJAWMNEhaw72OYLceOMW4o4ks~-v2bxxrx6eC0q30w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cobb County Board of Elections on Thursday certified the results of the June 17 Public Service Commission primary and accepted a director’s report showing 15,873 total ballots cast in the county, a turnout the director described as “just over 3%.”

The certification came at the board’s regular and certification meeting, where Director Fall presented a post-election breakdown: 3,856 early in-person votes, 193 absentee-by-mail ballots counted and 11,791 election-day ballots. \"We had 3,856 total voters vote early,\" Director Fall said during the presentation.

The certification follows concerns staff raised about a data synchronization issue between county poll pads and the state systems Jarvis and DDS. Director Fall told the board that one precinct accessed an emergency list after opening late and that the office “alerted the secretary of state as soon as we realized on election day that there was an inconsistency.” The secretary of state has acknowledged receiving other reports and is investigating, Fall said. Fall also said the early in-person (AIP) figures matched the county’s ePulse reports.

Public comment at the meeting emphasized frustration with public outreach. Monica Rossman, a member of the public, told the board she and others “didn’t know there was even an election going on” and called the low turnout “pathetic,” adding she planned to request cost records to assess taxpayer expense.

The board also confirmed that a risk-limiting audit is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the elections office; the audit is open to party observers and the public. After discussion, the board moved to certify the PSC primary results; the motion passed unanimously, 4-0, with one member absent.

Board members and staff noted follow-up items: the county will await the secretary of state’s findings on the Jarvis/DDS sync issue, and staff said they will provide requested election-files and clarity for provisional-credited ballots ahead of the upcoming runoff.

Looking ahead, Director Fall told the board preparations are underway for the July 15 runoff, including absentee-by-mail deadlines and mailings, and staff said registration will resume post-runoff work such as Marietta ward redistricting and other administrative tasks.

The meeting adjourned after routine business and a move into executive session for litigation and personnel matters.","The Cobb County Board of Elections certified results of the Public Service Commission primary and heard staff report a statewide sync issue between voter management systems; turnout was low and a risk-limiting audit is scheduled.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Elections board authorizes special counsel for conflict and personnel matters

Cobb County elections board asks commissioners to raise monthly stipends to $600 for chair, $500 for members; requests effective Aug. 1

Board approves July early in-person voting schedule for runoff after debate over 12-hour days

Cobb County elections board certifies PSC primary results amid low turnout and data-synchronization questions