DeKalb elections board removes one absentee drop box after active voters fall below 500,000

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections voted unanimously to remove one absentee voting drop box on the department’s recommended list after staff reported the county’s active registered voter total had fallen below 500,000.

Executive Director Smith told the board that "DeKalb County has a total of 565,511 registered voters" and that the active count had dipped "below 500,000 by 3 voters," triggering the statutory allocation rule. Smith said the office recommended retaining five drop box locations — Berean, Dunwoody, Beulah Missionary Baptist, Salem Panola and Tucker Reed — and removing the Memorial Drive box unless the active-voter count rises above 500,000 before early voting begins. "If we reach 500,000 before early voting, we will add that Dropbox back," Smith said.

A board member moved to authorize staff to remove a single absentee drop box "in accordance with state law" and to allow the department to restore the Memorial Drive location should the active voter count rise above 500,000; the motion carried unanimously.

Board members asked about location selection and security. Staff said sites were chosen historically for high absentee volume and distribution across the county and noted that all early voting locations will continue to accept ballots in secure, locked containers each night, which are delivered to central offices by two poll officials.

The vote follows staff’s broader report on preparations for the November municipal and special elections, which included staffing, training timelines and a monthly budget snapshot.