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A new law in the state of Georgia could allow local election boards the right to refuse to certify results.
“It’s time to fix the problems in our elections by ensuring compliance with the law, transparency in elections conduct and accuracy in results,” Republican Julie Adams said before abstaining from a vote that would have certified the May primary in Fulton County, Georgia, which encompasses the city of Atlanta, according to NPR.
Adams says she was not given access to anywhere near enough of the underlying election records for her to legally and ethically verify the vote herself, so her colleagues overruled her and went ahead anyway. This illuminated a worrying trend for many in the state. (TAKE A POLL: Do You Believe That Healthcare is Affordable in Your Country?)
What Do Locals Say?
“If I’m going to ask a county election worker to sign their name on a legal document saying this is accurate, when in fact they may see there is some discrepancy, then we’re setting them up for failure,” a Republican member of the state board, Janelle King, said of the situation, which was prompted by a new rule.
That rule stipulates that “local boards confirm the number of voters who cast ballots matches up with the total votes. Legal challenges to results are heard in the courts.” (TAKE A POLL: Are You Concerned About Data Privacy and Security?)
Adams is suing her county, asking for a ruling to affirm that local election boards do not have the discretion to certify an election. “They’re on fire. They’re doing a great job,” Trump said at an Atlanta campaign rally. “Janice Johnston, Rick Jeffares and Janelle King, three people are all pitbulls fighting for honesty, transparency and victory.”
What Else Is Happening in Georgia?
“At this month’s [state board] meeting, the board’s Republicans also advanced rule changes around ballot drop boxes, ballot counting, poll watchers and memory cards, three months before the election. Ghazal says the board is also planning to consider a more sweeping rule on certification at a meeting in August,” NPR noted. (TAKE A POLL: Do You Believe That Tax Cuts for Corporations Benefit the Average Citizen?)
How Do You Feel?
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