Fulton County Election Board Must Appoint GOP Nominees Despite Democratic Rejection

Strategic Insights -

A superior court judge has ruled that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners must appoint two election critics nominated by the Fulton County Republican Party to the county election board. The decision comes after the Democratic-controlled board rejected the GOP nominees in a party-line vote in May. The Georgia Republican Party had argued that the commission is legally obligated to accept the party's nominations, citing a law that requires the board to appoint members nominated by the county executive committee chairperson.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fulton Superior Court Judge David Emerson ruled that the Fulton County Board of Commissioners must appoint two election critics nominated by the Fulton County Republican Party to the county election board.
  • The decision comes after the Democratic-controlled board rejected the GOP nominees in a party-line vote in May.
  • The Georgia Republican Party had argued that the commission is legally obligated to accept the party's nominations, citing a law that requires the board to appoint members nominated by the county executive committee chairperson.
  • Jason Frazier, one of the GOP appointees, has lodged thousands of voter eligibility challenges in Fulton.
  • Julie Adams, an incumbent election board member and one of the nominated appointees, has voted against certifying elections in the past.
  • County election boards, including the Fulton County Board, are responsible for running and certifying elections, setting polling locations, and determining voter eligibility challenges.
  • Fulton Commissioner Marvin Arrington has criticized the judge's ruling, saying it "eliminates our discretion as elected commissioners."
  • Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon has lauded the decision, saying it sends a "clear message to boards of elections in other blue counties."

Statistics:

  • The Georgia Republican Party sued Fulton County in 2023 after the county rejected an earlier nomination of Frazier.
  • The party later nominated a different election board member, Michael Heekin, and withdrew the suit.
  • The Fulton Commissioner Board voted against the appointments of Adams and Frazier to the elections board in May.
  • At least 18 other election board members across Georgia, including Adams, refused to certify elections from 2020 to 2024.
  • Every election board member signed off on President Donald Trump's victory in Georgia after a court ruling that certification is mandatory.

Sources:

  • The Fulton County Board of Commissioners
  • Fulton Superior Court Judge David Emerson
  • The Georgia Republican Party
  • Jason Frazier
  • Julie Adams
  • Marvin Arrington, Fulton County Commissioner
  • Josh McKoon, Georgia Republican Party Chairman