DeKalb County Outlines Plans for Recount Effort

DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) announces its plan to electronically recount more than 373,000 votes by the state-mandated timeline of Dec. 2, 2020. 

As with the recent state-mandated audit, DeKalb VRE’s “Count on DeKalb” plan prioritizes integrity, safety, and transparency throughout this effort.

“We’re planning on deploying a recount plan that looks very similar to the recent risk-limiting audit,” said DeKalb VRE Director Erica Hamilton. “We’re engaging the same partners, county departments and others to ensure we’re able to once again maintain the integrity of the process.”

Similarly, DeKalb VRE will again partner with the DeKalb County Board of Health to implement best practices and guidelines to keep everyone involved in the recount as safe as possible. Personal protective equipment will be provided, and the facility will be setup to accommodate social distancing.

“Once again, all eyes are on Georgia and we’re just as committed to the voters of DeKalb County as we have been throughout this entire election. We’ll conduct the recount with the same safety protocols, integrity, and transparency as the risk-limiting audit. You can count on DeKalb County,” Hamilton said.

To help promote social distancing for the electronic recount, VRE will again return to one of its largest early voting sites – the former Sam’s Club in Stonecrest. The extended work shift will include approximately 100 personnel who will work to batch and scan ballots throughout the recount. DeKalb VRE will adjust staffing levels and schedules as needed.

“We only have nine scanners available to use for this recount effort, so we are having to be creative with our staffing and resources,” said Hamilton. “When you add in a pair of runoffs and a major holiday taking place at the same time, we are stretched thin to accomplish the recount by the designated timeline. We have moved swiftly to ask the Secretary of State for additional scanners to help us accomplish the recount.”

Designated locations for public observers, news outlets and Secretary of State and political party monitors will be identified. DeKalb County Television 23 (DCTV23) will livestream the recount process here.

DeKalb VRE is scheduling the recount to take place on the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020               9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020          7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 27, 2020                   7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020               7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020                7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 30, 2020                7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020            7 a.m. – until completion

DeKalb VRE will consider modifying the outlined recount scheduling to ensure completion of the recount efforts in accordance with guidelines outlined by the Georgia Secretary of State. All changes to the proposed recount scheduling will be posted on the DeKalbVotes.com website in advance.

At A Glance: “Count on DeKalb” Recount Efforts

Recount Begins: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020; beginning at 9 a.m. (setup)

Location: Former Sam’s Club, 2994 Turner Hill Rd., Stonecrest, GA 30038

COVID-19 Precautions: Social distancing, required PPE for DeKalb personnel, mask mandate for all observers, periodic sanitation of hard surfaces, and temperature checks required upon entry