[Note: on the date of this meeting, a statewide hand audit recount of the Nov 3, 2020 election results was underway. The results of that recount were announced on Nov 20. Subsequently, a statewide recount was requested by the President, and a second complete recount, this time using machine readers, commenced on Nov 24.]
On November 17, Antwan Lang, Chatham County Board of Elections Commissioner, made a Zoom presentation to the Skidaway Hamiltons and Abigails.
Mr. Lang reminded those in attendance that the Board of Elections is an elected body and is responsible for hiring and training poll workers, counting absentee ballots, and managing election equipment. The Board of Registrars is an appointed body and is responsible for voter registration, voter purges, and early and absentee voting. The Board of Elections is managing the hand count. Mr. Lang pointed out that Chatham County is the only county in the state that has had prior experience with a hand count.
Mr. Lang said that election day went very smoothly largely because early votes and absentee ballots made up more than 70% of the total votes cast. 195,000 people registered to vote. Turnout was 66.8%. Mr. Lang visited 54 polling sites on election day, and there were no long lines. There was a slow start at two locations because of difficulty turning on voting machines, but those problems were solved by 9:00 am. Signature discrepancies were the main problem affecting absentee ballots. In such cases, the Board of Registrars tried to contact the individual to resolve the problem. More than 1,000 ballots had to be rejected. There were also 15,000 cured ballots, ballots where a team of adjudicators, including one Republican and one Democrat, had to try to decide what the voter’s intent was.
Mr. Lang was asked about the Trump ballot lawsuit that was thrown out. An individual alleged that she saw proper ballots being mixed with improper ballots. Mr. Lang explained that was impossible because the Board of Registrars received all absentee ballots, and there was no way ballots could be mixed at the polling site. Mr. Lang also talked about the way that ballots were gathered from ballot boxes. Every night, a team, consisting of one Republican and one Democrat, removed ballots from the boxes using carefully controlled procedures and delivered them in a way that insured the integrity of each ballot.
Mr. Lang was asked what could be improved in the next election. He said that training could always be improved. He also strongly recommended recruiting more young people to work at the polls. They would have the opportunity to understand and appreciate the process and would also learn the value of giving their time. He also expressed concern that under the current procedures a person’s address is in the public record after they register. He said that can be problematic in cases of domestic violence. Finally, he recommended to his fellow Board of Elections officials that a voter education council be formed. He was pleased to report that the Board approved his recommendation.
The Board of Elections will be overseeing the runoff election. He suggested that everyone check their registration. One can phone the Board of Registrars.
