Overview

The Vote Duplication Panel creates true copies of ballots, where voter intent is clear but the original cannot be processed by the scanner. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(f). The Duplication Panels are created as needed during early processing and at the tabulation center on election night. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(f). The Panel members are appointed by the Election Superintendent. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(f).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the Vote Duplication Panel are:

1. Ensuring that duplicated ballots are accurate. O.C.G.A § 21-2-483(f).
2. Sending ballots that need adjudication to the Vote Review Panel. O.C.G.A § 21-2-483(g).
3. Adding ballots rejected by the tabulator to the canvass if the voter’s intent can be determined. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(g)(2)(A).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• Ex Officio/Appointed:
  • In a partisan election, the Vote Duplication Panel is composed of the Election Superintendent (or a designee) and one person appointed by the county executive committee of each political party. If there is not an “organized county executive committee” for one of the political parties, an individual will be appointed by the state executive committee of that political party. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(f).
  • Nonpartisan or an Election Only Involving a Question for the Voters
    • In a nonpartisan county election, the Vote Review Panel is composed of the Election Superintendent (or a designee) and two voters from the county who are appointed by the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the county. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(f).
    • In a nonpartisan municipal election, the Vote Review Panel is composed of the Election Superintendent (or a designee) and two voters from the municipality who are appointed by the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the county in which the municipality is located. [1] O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(f).
• Qualifications: Must be a United States citizen. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-78.
• Vacancy: The Election Superintendent can make as many Vote Duplication Panels as they wish, so “vacancies” are not an issue. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(f).

Footnotes