DeKalb elections board approves amended Nov. 10 minutes after debate over voter-list language

The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections on Jan. 8 voted to approve an amended version of the Nov. 10, 2025 meeting minutes after a contentious discussion about wording that describes how voters with nonresidential addresses are handled.

Board members debated whether the minutes should include a short summary or more of the transcript when characterizing the list-maintenance process. Director Smith told the board staff had re-reviewed the replay and concluded language adopted at the December meeting "wasn't accurate," and proposed wording that staff said reflected what was actually said. Gail Lee disputed the change, reading aloud her version and saying she stood by a sentence in her draft: "those failing to cure are changed to inactive status." Lee argued the approved summary "oversimplified the process and left out some very important context." Director Smith and the chair countered that the exchange was part of a longer conversation and that a short excerpt could mislead readers about the broader discussion.

One board member suggested keeping a high-level summary in the minutes and linking the full replay and transcript for anyone who wanted the complete exchange. After discussion, a board member moved to approve the director's proposed amendment to the Nov. 10 minutes "as presented by Director Smith." The motion passed by voice vote; the chair announced the motion "passes" and recorded two "nay" votes, including Gail Lee.

The board then approved the Dec. 5 and Dec. 8 minutes with the chair abstaining because she was not present at those meetings.

Next steps: the approved amendment will be reflected in the posted minutes and the board will continue linking recordings or transcripts for readers who want full context.