Dougherty County Commission approves additional ballot drop boxes

ALBANY, Ga. – Dougherty County Commission approved nearly $2 million dollars worth of purchases and projects during today’s regular meeting. In addition to the hefty payout, the commission also approved additional funding to the elections office.

Dougherty County voters will have three additional locations to drop off absentee ballots.

The decision to add these boxes comes after lengthy discussion on the issue.

“And I recognize that this is a new method that has been approved by the state, I’m sensitive to that, I think it’s a good thing,” says Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas.

Commissioner Russell Gray was the only one who voted against the proposition stating people could just use USPS instead of having the city make the $26,000 purchase.

Russell Gray (district 4)

“This is another unfunded mandate on the county coming out of our general fund. Every citizen in Dougherty County has a tax-payer funded drop box in their front yard. It’s a mailbox. The price to buy a stamp and send an absentee ballot is minimum,” says Gray.

Commissioner Gloria Gaines said she agreed with Gray but that it was the responsibility of the commission to give residents options.

Gloria Gaines

“It’s also incumbent on our federal government to instill confidence and our ballot getting where it should. So there’s a role that the federal government plays in us having to spend local dollars,” says Gaines.

They approved the $158,000 package that includes two full-time employees, money for the upcoming election and the three additional ballot drop boxes by a 5-1 vote.

Residents will now have four drop boxes throughout the county to safely cast their ballot.