MAY 4, 2026 BER EMERGENCY MEETING MINUTES

PUTNAM COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION

EMERGENCY MEETING MINUTES

PUTNAM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

BER SUPERVISOR OFFICE

May 4, 2026

2:00 P.M.

 

  1. Call to order: 2:17 P.M.
  2. Roll Call
    1. Mr. Charles Patten, Chairperson: present
    2. Ms. Lorriane Webb, Vice-Chairperson: present
    3. Ms. Anne Parker: present
    4. Ms. Sarah Maslayak: present
    5. Mr. Dick Forrester: present
  3. Public Comments
    1. None
  4. Approval of Agenda
    1. Ms. Webb moved to approve the agenda.
    2. Ms. Maslayak seconded the motion.
    3. Vote: all in favor.
  5. Discussion Items
    1. BER Policy 06-03
    2. This meeting was called before things get out of hand regarding exposure of the BER in Putnam. Mr. Patten expressed concerns on social media posts, who made the posts and what position they hold at the BER. He expressed the need to clarify and if possible, rewrite the policy due to potential misunderstandings of how the policy is written.
    3. Ms. Parker made a motion to discuss BER Policy 06-03, clarify and rewrite if needed.
      1. Ms. Webb seconded the motion
      2. Vote: All in favor
    4. Ms. Parker asked if full-, part-time and poll workers are all listed together as written?
    5. Ms. Maslayak stated that she read the policy to mean that “on days actively working for the BER” meant campaigning on personal time, free to do.
    6. Ms. Webb stated the policy should spell out BER members, full-, part-time staff cannot actively campaign for office integrity. Poll workers, actively working days cannot.
    7. Mr. Patten stated that he would also be in favor of the Board and all employees of the Board refraining from campaigning. He also stated learning in a conference class “if there is any perception that you are campaigning-just don’t do it.”
    8. Mr. Forrester stated that Policy 06-03 could be better written. He read the 1st paragraph pertains to BER staff; 2nd paragraph pertains to Poll workers.
    9. Mr. Patten stated that he scanned OCGA 21 and found nothing about campaigning and election officials, just regarding judges. He stated that we need to be aware of 1st amendment rights.
    10. Mr. Patten explained the circumstances that brought the BER into existence.
    11. Mr. Patten stated that there is possible confusion regarding the policy and expressed a need to carve out poll workers as different; also, that the current policy doesn’t address social media and may need to do so.
    12. Ms. Webb agreed the policy needs to be clear, poll workers should be carved out and that they maintain the same standards as the staff.
    13. Ms. Webb stated that she doesn’t want the stigma because we have a good staff and nothing should have been made of the social media posts. This was upsetting to her.
    14. Mr. Forrester stated that the policy doesn’t say what we want it to say. What do we do about the policy? What do we do with the employee?
    15. Mr. Patten stated that the current policy is confusing.
    16. Mr. Forrester moved that we accept and ratify the personnel action already taken with respect to the employee’s social media post.
      1. Ms. Webb seconded the motion.
      2. Vote: All in favor
    17. Mr. Forrester wanted it documented that the motion was made from the employee’s history of good performance and no previous infractions.
    18. Mr. Forrester questioned whether we needed to word smith at this meeting or come up with a concept to present to the attorney.
    19. Ms. Maslayak stated that it would be better to clarify and send it to the attorney.
    20. Mr. Patten stated that the policy bounces back and forth.
    21. Mr. Forrester suggested that the board continue and ponder the policy.
    22. Mr. Patten asked if there was a state law addressing campaigning?
    23. Mrs. Rudolph stated that she would ask the county attorney if there is anything in GA code that prohibits any employee, poll worker, full-, part-time, Board Member from actively campaigning.
    24. Ms. Maslayak stated that she looked up the Georgia State Personnel Board Rules and did not see anything wrong.
    25. Mr. Forrester wanted it stated that the treatment that the Supervisor and staff have received was unacceptable.
    26. Ms. Maslayak stated that it was unacceptable that someone went to Mrs. Rudolph’s house and that a line was crossed.
    27. Ms. Maslayak moved that the board think and come ready to further discuss and rewrite the BER Policy 06-03 on May 19th.
      1. Mr. Forrester seconded the motion.
      2. Vote: All in favor.
  6. Business and Information from Board Members and Staff
    1. Mr. Forrester: would have liked to have known about the social media situation sooner, since one of their responsibilities is staff support.
    2. Ms. Maslayak none
    3. Ms. Parker: none
    4. Ms. Webb: none
    5. Mr. Patten: expected sooner notice
    6. Mrs. Rudolph: none
  7. Adjourn: 3:36 PM
    1. Ms. Maslayak moved to adjourn the meeting.
      1. Ms. Webb seconded the motion.
      2. Vote: All in favor

 

ATTEST:

 

_______________________________                                  ______________________________

Kimberly Rudolph                                                                                  Charles Patten

Supervisor Election and Registration                                                Chairperson