# Board of Elections - Pre-Certification, Certification Stream and Monthly Meeting


**Body:** Augusta, Georgia Government
**Date:** November 07, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

The Richmond County Board of Elections’ pre-certification, monthly, and certification meetings in Augusta, Georgia, were held November 7, 2026. The board reviewed precinct ballot-to-voter discrepancies, reported as a net difference of three ballots, and staff said no duplicate voter IDs were found. Members voted to confirm compliance with the applicable State Election Board rule and to request legal counsel’s review of whether staff could complete the verification process without a separate pre-certification meeting. After reviewing provisional and timely military absentee ballots, the board voted to certify the general and special election results.

Budget and spending discussions included the proposed 2027 elections budget of approximately $1.1 million, a $679,000 (about 46%) decrease from 2026 because no elections are currently scheduled; the administrator recommended the submission, which remained subject to county commission approval. Staff estimated the completed election would cost about $285,000, excluding the risk-limiting audit, and estimated $24,000–$30,000 for two school-board District 3 runoffs, to be billed to the Board of Education. The board approved proceeding with a second advance-voting location only upon written Board of Education approval and an agreement to pay all related costs. An election-official appreciation event was planned using funds already budgeted. Staff also noted potential substantial voting-equipment costs in 2028. No contract awards, vendor selections, or bid approvals were identified.

**Source:** Augusta, Georgia Government