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

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 21-2-95shall 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.