Response from DeKalb County Registration & Elections

GTCO-ATL received this email in response to our request that the voting summary data from the July 2012 election be labeled as "Telecommunications Tower Referendum" or "Cell Tower Question" similar to the way the other issues on the ballot were labeled in the summary documents. 

Instead of anything that identifies the subject matter, the cell tower summary section is simply labled "Non-binding Advisory Referendum." 

We assume this is the main reason why most of the major media outlets completely overlooked the results, which were 62% of voters saying "No" to cell towers on our school grounds.

Here is the response:

8/2/2012

Good morning,

The cell tower question was placed on the ballot as the result of the passage of House Bill 1299.  That bill specified the title to be used on the  ballot as “Nonbinding Advisory Referendum”.  Since our election summary is limited as to the number of characters that may be used, the title was shortened to fit the allocated space.  When the title is specified in the approved bill, we are obligated to use the language provided.   Further, we are prohibited from making any changes such as this in our database that tabulates the election and provides the summary reports after the ballots are generated which was done in early June.  While I appreciate your concerns, I am unable to accommodate your request.

Respectfully,

H. Maxine Daniels
Director
DeKalb County Registration and Elections
Office:  404-298-4020  Fax: 404-298-4038
www.dekalbvotes.com