MOULTRIE — The newly formed Colquitt County Board of Elections discussed precincts and bylaws at its April 8 meeting.

In September, the Colquitt County Commission adopted an ordinance to create a board of elections and registration for the county. Then, in November, the commissioners appointed three people to the board plus one alternate. The board of elections and registration became active on January 1.

After some consideration, the commission decided to change the number of board members to five after two of the original four dropped out. The board now consists of Ronald Jordan, chairman; Tonita Scott, vice-chair; Lisa Perry, secretary; Elizabeth Strickland and Paula McCullough.

Also in attendance at the Tuesday evening meeting were Probate Judge Wes Lewis, who was formerly in charge of election proceedings, and Faith Thomas, the new supervisor of elections.

The board expressed interest in the voting precinct locations and assessing them. They wanted to make sure that all of them still met state requirements.

Thomas said that Colquitt County IT Director Darren Roberson, who sets up the voting machines each election along with Steve Saunders, could set up some dates and times for the board members to visit each precinct location.

Strickland asked, “Is there any sort of … a directory of precincts or is it something we need to create?”

Lewis responded that the state had done an audit when Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger took office in 2018. He added that he had the audit.

Strickland said it would be helpful to have it so they would have information to start with and build on with their audit.

Jordan said, “Before we go on our field trip, let’s get a list of factors we want to look at for each place. And then I can create a checklist or a spreadsheet, so to speak, and it’s something that we can all fill out at each one to help us make decisions later on.”

“Now are there certain requirements by the state?” Strickland asked and Lewis replied that there were and he would see if he could find them, along with the audit.

Jordan made a list of things to assess at the voting locations including ADA requirements, security, parking and safety. Also, facility condition, bathroom/water access, electrical, volume of voters, whether it’s county-owned and possible alternative locations.

Thomas said Roberson and Saunders could tell them the condition of the voting locations because they set up the voting machines.

Strickland has been working with County Attorney Lester Castellow to create bylaws for the board of elections. They looked at the bylaws of elections boards in surrounding counties as examples to go by. She had some questions about them for the board.

“I think bylaws are so important because we’re an independent entity,” she said.

Board members discussed a few details including putting into the bylaws when they would meet each month and when to post the minutes on the County’s website. They also discussed outlining the role of the board’s officers, especially the secretary.

The board also discussed how they would outline the job duties of the employees of the election board. Lewis told them that the majority of the staff was the contracted poll workers during the elections.

“I will draft the administration. I’m going to mirror this ordinance and maybe expand a little bit, just for clarity. But you know, we can always amend these bylaws,” Strickland said.

She said after members had some time underneath them and went through training, they would be able to assess them again.

“There are certain counties that have sort of a code of ethics,” said Strickland. “Do we want to put anything about our behavior or decorum in our bylaws? Is that something that we want addressed?”

She read the code of ethics that Troup County had included in its board of elections bylaws.

Jordan said he “didn’t see it as necessary.”

Strickland asked if they should include a statement that said the board was not prohibited from a supporting a candidate. However, they could not do anything in their capacity as members of the election board to assist a candidate in relation to an election.

Jordan agreed with her on her including the statement and said, “It’s our job to make sure these elections are fair. … That people in Colquitt County have a chance to vote.”

Strickland will make the changes to the proposed bylaws per the board’s discussion.

The next election will be the Special Primary Public Service Commissioner/Special Election June 17, with early voting starting May 27.