Richmond County board counts 27 provisional ballots, rejects others after staff review

The Richmond County Elections Board voted on a series of provisional-ballot recommendations from staff and approved counting 27 provisional ballots while rejecting others that did not meet statutory or procedural requirements.

Katina, who led the provisional review, described six groups of provisional ballots and staff recommendations: Group A (25 out-of-precinct provisional ballots cast after 5 p.m. with completed affidavits) — staff recommended duplicating and counting eligible races; Group B (out-of-precinct after 5 without affidavits) — staff recommended rejecting 5 ballots after unsuccessful contact attempts; Group C (out-of-precinct with affidavit but voter not a Richmond County resident) — recommended rejection; Group D (pending citizenship but later cured) — recommended counting; Group E (voter registered in another county) — recommended rejection; Group F (absentee provisional returned without a signature then cured) — recommended counting.

Board motions on each group were made, seconded and passed by voice vote. A board member moved to duplicate and count Group A; another motion rejected Group B and Group C ballots; Group D and Group F ballots were accepted after staff-confirmed cures; Group E ballots were rejected after research showed the registrant belonged in another county. After the votes, staff updated the provisional totals for inclusion in the certification record.

Why it matters: Provisional-ballot decisions change the official counts for close races and are part of the board’s legal review before certification, affecting local and some down-ballot contests.

What’s next: Those provisional outcomes were incorporated into the results the board certified later in the meeting.