DeKalb elections director reports registration counts, special-election dates and a budget shortfall risk tied to proposed QR-code law

The DeKalb County elections director told the Board of Registration and Elections on Feb. 12 that the office had 565,014 total registered voters as of a Feb. 10 report and had canceled 3,140 registrations after a data comparison with the Social Security Administration identified potentially deceased records.

The director reviewed application-processing totals and other maintenance work: 6,531 total applications as of Feb. 10, with 5,615 from driver services and a mix of online and handwritten applications pending processing; 5,776 precinct cards were returned and processed and 2,794 confirmation notices were sent. "We are, of course, gearing up for the special election," the director said, announcing that the House District 94 special election will be held March 10 with early voting beginning Monday, Feb. 16 and running through March 6. Staff also noted that logic-and-accuracy testing for equipment has concluded and equipment is ready for delivery to early-voting locations.

On the county budget, the director presented a FY2026 request of $14,987,034 and said the county finance department recommended $14,842,034. The proposed reduction primarily affected capital outlays; staff explained many building renovation costs fall under general county capital budgets and not under the elections department. Board members asked whether the requested budget included contingency for pending state legislation affecting ballot QR codes; the director said it did not. "One estimate we had was between 5 and $7,000,000," the director said when asked about potential costs if certain bills pass.

Board members pressed for more detail on the communications/outreach budget versus the 2024 election-year spending; the director said some items that were listed under communications in 2024 were rebudgeted under other cost centers for 2026 and that she would follow up with line-item detail and could pursue adding back a $145,000 reduction with the county finance office.

The board received the director’s report and asked staff to provide additional budget detail and to continue planning outreach and notification for upcoming elections.