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Elections office reports mail‑ballot returns, a double‑ballot incident and schedules recount/audits
Summary
Elections staff reported 866 mailed ballots with 623 returned as of 2 p.m. (later updated to 659), described a double‑ballot incident the office self‑reported to the state, and announced a June 24 state recount for PSC District 3 plus risk‑limiting and ballot‑image audits scheduled June 26 and June 29.
Elections staff told the Athens‑Clarke County Board of Elections at its June 16 meeting that 866 ballots had been mailed for the June runoff; as of 2:00 p.m. staff recorded 623 returned ballot envelopes and later noted 659 had been received as voters continued to drop off ballots.
Director Lori reported a double‑ballot incident discovered during advanced voting: a voter cast a ballot at the elections office and later cast a second ballot at a library polling location. Staff reviewed poll‑pad and participation records, concluded a poll‑worker mistake likely triggered the issue, and self‑reported the matter to the state elections board for review.
Staff said the May general primary’s risk‑limiting audit was completed and reported 100% compliance. The office also announced an upcoming state‑requested recount for Public Service Commission District 3 beginning June 24 at 10:00 a.m.; staff described the recount mechanics as re‑tabulation through the EMS room scanners with batch custody and reporting steps similar to an RLA. The risk‑limiting audit for the June runoff was scheduled for June 26 at 10:00 a.m., and a ballot‑image audit for June 29 at 10:00 a.m. All audits and the recount were listed on the meeting agenda packet.
Board members and staff also discussed site security at Timothy Road and Whitehead Road polling locations after a meeting with the school superintendent; options mentioned included moving precinct operations into a school annex or finding alternative polling locations to address safety concerns and reduce conflicts with school events.
Why it matters: The double‑ballot incident prompted a state notification and highlights the importance of poll‑worker procedures and ballot custody controls; scheduled audits and a recount are part of statutorily required checks that can affect certification and, in the case of recount changes, may require re‑certification of results.
Staff said they will proceed with the scheduled audits and recount procedures, and will report back if any audit or recount changes require further board action or re‑certification.
