DeKalb elections director reports registration totals, poll‑worker staffing and budget ahead of November municipal elections

Executive Director Smith reviewed the department’s regular director’s report, summarizing registration totals, list‑maintenance activity, absentee applications, poll‑worker staffing and the office budget as the department prepares for the November municipal and special elections.

Key figures and operations Smith told the board: "As of today, DeKalb County has a total of 565,511 registered voters. Of that, 499,453 are active and 66,058 are inactive." Staff noted these are moving totals and that the office had received additional updates during the meeting. The director reported 2,315 registration applications remained to be processed (including online and handwritten forms), ongoing returned‑mail research and list‑maintenance notices sent by the Secretary of State that staff continue to process.

Staffing and training The office reported poll‑worker staffing is largely complete: 142 early‑voting poll officials and 1,066 election‑day officials were signed up, with training scheduled to start the following week. The director emphasized that early‑voting worker training begins next week and that staff are arranging additional sessions for election‑day workers.

Absentee ballots and ballot proofing Staff reminded the board that eligible voters can request absentee ballots through Oct. 24 and that 148 absentee ballot applications had been received to date. The county will begin ballot proofing when it receives the election project files from the state.

Budget Smith reviewed a budget snapshot (Jan. 1–Aug. 2025) showing an available balance of $8,442,574 for the remainder of the year. She said staff and the county finance department are monitoring line items and noted an earlier reallocation of poll‑worker pay that had been corrected in the budget report.

List maintenance and returned mail Staff provided a summary of list‑maintenance mailings from the Secretary of State and related county activity: thousands of no‑contact and NCOA (national change of address) notices were mailed, and staff reported tens of thousands of returned‑mail precinct cards and other mailings under review. Smith reminded the public that an inactive status does not equal ineligibility and encouraged residents to check their registration status.

Ending The board asked clarifying questions about specific line items and staffing; staff said they would follow up as needed. The department moved to items for decision after the report.