Board discusses adding bylaw to publicize process for at-large board appointment

During the June 23 meeting the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections discussed a proposed addition to its bylaws intended to increase public notice and transparency for the at-large board appointment.

Board member Anthony Lewis proposed adding a paragraph (to be numbered 9) titled “Coordination for at-large member appointment.” The draft would direct the executive director to consult with the chief judge of superior court to obtain deadlines, eligibility criteria and application procedures for the at-large appointment; it would require dissemination of those details to DeKalb residents via press release and department social channels within five business days of receipt and, in normal circumstances, no later than 30 days before the application deadline. If the information arrives less than 30 days before a deadline, the draft requires immediate dissemination and additional outreach; it also would require the executive director to record the dissemination date in the minutes or other official records.

Lewis said the change is intended to standardize notice after previous at-large appointments have been inconsistent: “We just want the public to have a way for the public to know,” he said, noting that the department and some public stakeholders were not aware of prior appointment windows. Board members agreed the goal is transparency but asked county attorneys to review whether the proposed language is consistent with the enabling legislation governing board appointments.

County attorneys were asked to research the enabling legislation and advise whether the proposed bylaw language would be consistent with the judge’s statutory role in appointing the at-large member. No vote was taken; the proposal will be considered by the incoming board.