Cobb County elections office says six provisional ballots counted; certification set for Monday at 3 p.m.

The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration at a pre-certification meeting confirmed that six provisional ballots were duplicated and credited, that the county's canvass is complete, and that officials will hold a formal certification meeting on Monday at 3 p.m. at 100 Cherokee Street, board members said.

Director Paul, director, Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration, told the board that staff duplicated provisional ballots the morning of the meeting and "we were able to go ahead and get the provisional ballots duplicated this morning," and that six of seven provisional ballots were counted after one was determined to be out of precinct. "So that was not duplicated, and the other 6 were. So the team is just assigning those voters credit right now," Paul said.

The director also provided turnout and canvass figures. "We ended, as we mentioned, on election night with 1,977 voters, which gave us 1.79% turnout. AIP had 1,443, which was 1.3 turnout. We only had 35 absentee by mail ballots, counted out of the 43 that were mailed. So 0.03% turnout, and then just those 6 provisionals is just, just over 00.01%. Give us a total of 3,461 voters for a total of 3.13%," Paul said. The director described those totals as unofficial until certification but said they were not expected to change.

Paul told the board that the county's risk-limiting audit (RLA) is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, beginning at 9 a.m. at the main elections office. "We're gonna have 3 teams. So the Democratic party can assign 3 designees, since it's 1 per team, and it's only a Democrat runoff. But the entire RLA is open to the public in the public viewing area," Paul said, adding that only party designees will have access to review materials on the audit table.

Board members were given the same summary report and supporting files on a flash drive that staff use for certification: a summary report, a statement of votes cast (SOVC) for precinct-level returns, and the Jarvis voter credit lists for verification. Paul said the AIP e-polls list is available for internal review for certification purposes but not for public release.

At the meeting’s start, the board voted to approve the meeting agenda. Mr. Brunning moved to approve the agenda and Ms. Fisher seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and no opposition was recorded. The board chair additionally noted that legal counsel joined virtually and confirmed there was no need for an executive session.

The board’s certification meeting will take place Monday at 3 p.m. at 100 Cherokee Street, where members will be asked to formally certify the canvass and election results presented by staff. Staff indicated all materials necessary for certification are uploaded and available for board review.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve meeting agenda — moved by Mr. Brunning; seconded by Ms. Fisher; outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).