Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 183 - RULES OF STATE ELECTION BOARD › Chapter 183-1 - GEORGIA ELECTION CODE › Subject 183-1-12 - PREPARATION FOR AND CONDUCT OF PRIMARIES AND ELECTIONS › Rule 183-1-12-.12 - Tabulating Results

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(a) After the Polls Close.
1. Immediately after the polls close and the
				last voter has voted, the poll manager and two witnesses who have been
				previously sworn as poll officers as provided in O.C.G.A. §§
										21-2-94 and
				21-2-95 shall begin the closing
				procedure on each ballot scanner so that no further votes are cast and record
				the number of scanned ballots from every ballot scanner used in the polling
				place. The poll manager and the two witnesses shall record the number of
				scanned ballots from each scanner on a recap form to be developed by the
				Secretary of State. The poll manager and the two witnesses shall cause each
				ballot scanner to print three tapes of the tabulated results and shall sign
				each tape indicating that it is a true and correct copy of the tape produced by
				the ballot scanner. If the poll manager or the witnesses have reason to believe
				that printed tapes are not a true and correct tabulation of the ballots scanned
				by that ballot scanner, the poll manager or witness shall document the reasons
				and evidence for that belief and inform the election superintendent, who shall
				take appropriate action, in his or her discretion, so that the ballots in the
				ballot box associated with the ballot scanner are accurately
				tabulated.
2. The poll manager
				shall cause the number of printed ballots from each ballot marking device to be
				recorded on the recap form. The poll manager shall further cause the number of
				spoiled ballots and ballots placed in the emergency bin of the scanner that
				were unable to be scanned to be recorded on the recap form. The poll manager
				shall cause the total number of voter check ins from the electronic poll book
				and/or paper voter list to be recorded on the recap form. If the numbers
				recorded on the recap form do not reconcile with each other, the poll manager
				shall immediately determine the reason for the inconsistency; correct the
				inconsistency, if possible; and fully document the inconsistency or problem
				along with any corrective measures taken.
3. As soon as possible after the polls close
				and the last elector votes, the poll manager shall advise the election
				superintendent of the total number of ballots scanned into the ballot scanner,
				the total number of provisional ballots issued at the precinct, and the total
				number of any cast but unscanned ballots in a scanner emergency bin in the
				manner prescribed by the Secretary of State.
4. One of the three tapes of the tabulated
				results printed from the ballot scanner shall be affixed to the door of the
				polling place for the information of the public along with a copy of the
				provisional ballot recap form for the polling place. One tape shall be placed
				into an envelope (or reusable document storage container suitable for the same
				purposes) provided by the election superintendent, along with the "poll
				officer" memory card from the ballot scanner. The envelope shall be sealed by
				the poll manager and the same two witnesses who signed the tape such that the
				envelope cannot be opened without breaking such seal. The poll manager and the
				two witnesses shall initial the envelope indicating that it contains the
				correct tape and memory card from the indicated ballot scanner. The envelope
				shall be labelled with the name of the polling place, the serial number of the
				ballot scanner, and the number assigned to the ballot scanner for that
				election. The third tape shall be placed into another envelope with the polling
				place recap form.
5. The poll
				manager and two witnesses who have been sworn as poll officers as provided in
				O.C.G.A. §§
										21-2-94 and
				21-2-95 shall unseal and open each
				ballot box, remove the paper ballots from each ballot box, and place the paper
				ballots into a durable, portable, secure and sealable container to be provided
				for transport to the office of the election superintendent. A separate
				container shall be used for the paper ballots from each ballot box and the
				container shall be labelled with the polling place, ballot scanner serial
				number, the number assigned to the ballot scanner for that election, the count
				of the ballots from the tabulation tape, and the date and time that the ballot
				box was emptied. The container shall be sealed and signed by the poll manager
				and the same two witnesses such that it cannot be opened without breaking the
				seal. The poll manager and the two witnesses shall sign a label affixed to the
				container indicating that it contains all of the correct ballots from the
				indicated ballot box and no additional ballots.
6. The poll manager and the same two
				witnesses who emptied the ballot box shall complete and sign a form indicating
				that the ballot box was properly emptied and the ballots were properly stored
				and secured. Such form shall be delivered to the election superintendent with
				the completed polling place recap form. The ballot box shall be resealed and
				the new seal numbers shall be documented.
7. The envelopes containing the tabulation
				tape and the memory card, the containers containing the paper ballots, the
				completed polling place recap forms, voter access cards, supervisor's cards,
				electors lists, numbered lists of voters, electronic poll books, and other such
				paperwork shall be delivered to the election superintendent by the poll manager
				and at least one other sworn poll officer or law enforcement official. The
				election superintendent or his or her designee shall receive the materials and
				shall issue a receipt to the poll manager for the materials. The poll manager
				and any poll officers who travelled with the materials shall sign a form
				indicating that no sealed documents were unsealed enroute and that the
				materials have not been tampered with. The election superintendent, in his or
				her discretion, may allow a designee of the poll manager to deliver the
				envelopes or containers containing the ballot scanner tabulation tapes and
				memory cards to be used for unofficial reporting of results prior to the
				delivery of the other polling place materials provided that the same procedures
				for transit and delivery set forth herein are followed.
8. Before leaving the polling place, the poll
				manager shall power off, secure, and seal all electronic ballot markers, ballot
				boxes, and ballot scanners. The polling place shall be locked to prohibit
				unauthorized entry.
9. Accredited
				poll watchers shall be allowed to observe the process described in this rule;
				however, they must do so in a manner that does not interfere with poll
				officials.