Board approves 13-location advance in-person voting plan after dispute over drop-box placement

The Cobb County Board of Elections approved an advance in-person (AIP) voting schedule that would provide 13 locations countywide intended to distribute voters geographically and reduce congestion. Director Lee Phillips said staff selected sites based on geographic distribution, voter demand, capacity, accessibility and wait times, and recommended adding Gritters Library to fill a gap in District 3.

Board members engaged in an extended discussion about the distribution of physical drop boxes. One member argued Northeast and East Cobb were underserved and urged a drop box at Tim Lee Senior Center, citing its historically high turnout. Staff and counsel explained state legislation caps physical drop boxes at six per county, and that the office aims to place boxes north, south, east, west and in central locations (Milford Recreation Center) to balance geographic access. "The state legislation were capped at 6. And so by spreading those 6 out through the rest of the county ... it allows an additional drop off location in the middle of the county," Daniel White said.

Despite disagreement over exact box placement, the board voted to accept the AIP schedule (recorded in the meeting as 4 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention). Members asked staff to provide clearer maps by district and to consider whether to swap a discretionary drop-box location to better cover Northeast Cobb.

Why it matters: Placement of AIP sites and drop boxes affects where and how voters can return absentee ballots and may influence wait times and convenience for neighborhoods with high turnout.

Next steps: Staff will provide district‑level mapping and consider board input about moving discretionary drop-box placement.