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-.10 - Before the Opening of the Polls

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
1. The poll officers shall set up and power
				on the voting system components for voting prior to the opening of the polls.
				The set up shall be performed in public and the public may view the set up
				subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the election superintendent
				may deem appropriate to protect the security of the voting system components
				and to prevent interference with the duties of the poll officers.
2. The poll officers shall verify that the
				seal for each voting system component is intact and that there is no evidence
				or indication of any tampering. The poll officers shall verify that the number
				of the seal matches the number of the seal recorded for that component when
				such component was prepared by the election superintendent for the primary,
				election, or runoff. If a seal number does not match or if there is any
				evidence or indication of tampering, the election superintendent shall be
				immediately notified and such component shall not be used until such matters
				are resolved by agreement of the election superintendent and the poll
				manager.
3. The poll manager shall
				check that the electronic poll books, electronic ballot markers, and ballot
				scanners all indicate zero counts prior to the opening of the polls.
4. The poll manager shall cause each ballot
				scanner in the polling place to run a zero tape prior to the start of voting.
				If the tape does not show zero votes prior to the start of voting, the election
				superintendent shall be immediately notified and such unit shall not be used
				until the unit is cleared and the matter is resolved by agreement of the
				election superintendent and the poll manager.
5. The poll manager and two witnesses who
				have been sworn as poll officers pursuant to O.C.G.A. §§
									21-2-94 and
				21-2-95 shall sign the zero tape
				from the ballot scanner. The poll manager and those same two witnesses shall
				then confirm that the ballot box is empty. The Secretary of State shall develop
				a form to be signed by the poll manager and the two witnesses attesting that
				the ballot box was empty prior to the opening of the polls. Such form shall
				include the date and time it was executed, shall be attached to the zero tape
				generated by the ballot scanner attached to that ballot box, and shall be
				returned to the election superintendent with the polling place recap forms at
				the close of the polls. The ballot box shall then be securely locked and
				sealed. Once the ballot box is verified to have been empty and locked and
				sealed, no person shall access the inside of the ballot box while voting is
				occurring unless it is absolutely necessary to the functioning of elections.
				Any such access shall be by the poll manager and two witnesses who have been
				sworn as poll officers, and the poll manager and witnesses shall attest, on a
				form to be developed by the Secretary of State, to when and for what purpose
				the ballot box was accessed, and that no action was taken to affect the results
				of the election. That form shall also be returned to the election
				superintendent with the polling place recap form at the close of the
				polls.
6. The poll officers shall
				verify that there is no unauthorized matter affixed to any of the voting system
				components or present in the voting booths.
7. The poll officers shall affix a card of
				instructions for voting within each voting booth and shall place at least one
				printed sample ballot and at least one voting instructions poster approved or
				provided by the Secretary of State outside the enclosed space at the polling
				place for the information of the voters. At least one printed sample ballot and
				one voting instructions poster shall also be posted in the enclosed space.
				Prior to voters entering the enclosed space, the poll officers may also
				distribute to such voters a card of instructions for voting on the voting
				system that has been approved or provided by the Secretary of State. The poll
				officers shall also have a sufficient supply of sample ballots available should
				voters request to view them while voting or reviewing their ballot.
8. As near as possible to exit of the
				enclosed space in every polling place in a manner that is visible to voters as
				they exit the enclosed space, the poll manager shall post a sign that informs
				voters that ballots shall not be removed from the enclosed space.
9. Accredited poll watchers must be able to
				observe the polling place setup process; however, they may not interfere with
				the setup process.
O.C.G.A.
				  §§
											21-2-31,
				  21-2-94,
				  21-2-95.