As part of a process that could lead to a takeover of elections in Georgia's most populous county, the Georgia State Board of Elections announced plans to appoint a review panel this week under a provision in the state's new election law, the Associated Press reported.
The state's Republican lawmakers pointed to the new law last month when requesting that the board appoint the performance review board for an investigation of Fulton County's handling of elections. The panel will be appointed during the board's Wednesday meeting.
Most of Atlanta is in the heavily Democratic county, amounting to about 11 percent of the state's active registered voters. Fulton County was targeted by President Donald Trump last year after his narrow loss to President Joe Biden in Georgia, with accusations of election fraud as evidence of a stolen election.
Republicans said they are concerned about carelessness in the administration of Fulton County's elections and that a review board is needed to assess whether local officials are following state voting laws.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
Democrats and voting rights activists have said the new takeover provision in state law leaves the door open for political interference in the electoral process and could allow suppression of votes. They've said the county conducted a successful election last year and the review is unnecessary.
Under the new law, lawmakers who represent a given county may request a review of local election officials, defined in the law as the election superintendent. In Fulton County, that's the county board of registration and elections.
Once the State Election Board receives such a request, it has to appoint a review board within 30 days. The review board is to be composed of "three competent persons," including an employee of the elections division of the secretary of state's office and two "local election officials."
The review board is tasked with conducting a complete and thorough investigation into the competency in the maintenance and operation of election equipment, the administration and oversight of registration and elections and compliance with state law and regulations. Then the board is to issue a report with evaluations and recommendations.
The investigation is to be followed by a preliminary hearing within 90 days of the receipt of the original request. During that preliminary hearing, the State Election Board is to decide whether the matter should be dismissed or whether it should proceed to a full hearing.
The state board could suspend the county board if it finds evidence county officials violated state election law or rules three times since 2018 and have not fixed violations. It could also remove the county board if it finds that during at least two elections over two years the board has shown "nonfeasance, malfeasance, or gross negligence."
The State Election Board, currently with a 3-1 Republican majority, would appoint a temporary administrator to run Fulton County elections if it finds wrongdoing. The county board could seek reinstatement. If the state board refuses, its administrator would remain in place for at least nine months. The administrator would have the authority to make any personnel changes related to running elections, including replacing the director of elections and all poll officers.
The state board also is charged with setting rules for the process. Those rules are set to be proposed at Wednesday's meeting and then will be subject to a public comment period before they can be adopted.
Fulton County has a long history of election problems and has been a favorite punching bag for Republicans. The county's primary election last year was marred by problems, including hourslong lines and absentee ballots that were requested and never received.
County officials acknowledged the problems, but said many of the most serious issues were related to the coronavirus pandemic. They spent millions of dollars and made changes ahead of the general election in November to ensure a smoother performance. An independent monitor was also appointed as part of a consent order reached entered into by the county and the State Election Board.
That monitor, Carter Jones, observed Fulton County's election processes from October through January. He wrote that he witnessed "sloppy processes" and "systemic disorganization" but did not see "any illegality, fraud or intentional malfeasance." He concluded major changes and a managerial shakeup were needed.
While Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has vigorously defended the integrity of the state's election results, he has often criticized Fulton County and has repeatedly called for the firing of the county elections director Rick Barron and registration chief Ralph Jones.
Barron survived the county election board's attempt earlier this year to fire him after the county board of commissioners rejected the election board's recommendation. In a letter dated July 16, Ralph Jones announced his resignation as registration chief, effective August 6.
