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Georgia State Election Board Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Political Turmoil

ATLANTA — The Georgia State Election Board, once relatively unnoticed, has transformed into a contentious forum where public discussions stretch for hours, often accompanied by heckling from the audience.

This escalation reflects the growing political tensions surrounding election administration, especially in pivotal states like Georgia, which played a crucial role in the Democratic victories of the 2020 election. Former President Donald Trump has persistently claimed, without substantiation, that he lost Georgia due to widespread electoral fraud.

Although the board does not directly impose election outcomes, its responsibilities include establishing regulations for the electoral process and addressing complaints related to election rule violations. Concerns have arisen from the emergence of a majority comprised of Republican appointees, inciting fear among Democrats and voting rights advocates that the board may implement restrictive rules which could undermine efficient election administration and delay certification processes.

Following significant Democratic victories in the 2020 elections, including two U.S. Senate seats and Joe Biden’s narrow win, Georgia’s political landscape remains predominantly controlled by Republicans, a considerable number of whom have shown loyalty to Trump.

“They seem to disapprove of the recent voting trends among Georgians and appear willing to override citizens’ voting rights by complicating the election administration process,” stated David Worley, a former Democrat board member with 17 years of service, who resigned in July 2021.

After Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State, publicly backed the 2020 election results, he was unceremoniously removed from his role as chair of the State Election Board by members of his own party. This decision was largely viewed as retribution. A new law enacted earlier this year resulted in his complete removal from the board.

When questioned about the board’s recent developments, Raffensperger candidly described it as “a mess.”

The board consists of five members: one appointed by the state House, one by the state Senate, one each from the Republican and Democratic parties, and a nonpartisan chair selected by the General Assembly or appointed by the governor when the Assembly is not in session.

Janelle King, a conservative media figure, was appointed by the House in May, cementing Republican dominance on the board. Dr. Janice Johnston, a retired obstetrician known for her critical stance on elections in the heavily Democratic Fulton County, was appointed by the state’s GOP in 2022. Rick Jeffares, a former legislator with close ties to Trump-aligned Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, was appointed earlier this year by the Senate.

State Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon expressed confidence about the influence of the newly formed conservative majority, stating during the party convention on May 17 that the board’s configuration would create a favorable environment for their electoral success come November 2024.

During the same convention, Johnston’s speech was met with enthusiasm, underscoring the urgency election administration holds for the party’s Trump-aligned supporters.

The board also includes Democrat Sara Tindall Ghazal, a lawyer, and chair John Fervier, who works in security management for Waffle House. Although appointed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp, Fervier is expected to remain nonpartisan and does not always align with the other Republican members.

In what appears to be a strategic move, McKoon has leveraged the board’s “three-person working majority.” Prior to the board’s session in July, he reportedly provided Jeffares with two new regulations to introduce, along with supportive talking points, as indicated by emails reviewed by The Associated Press.

The board’s conservative faction has advocated for increased poll watcher presence at counting centers, arguing that it allows for greater oversight. Critics counter that this could lead to disorder and intimidation of election officials.

Other discussions within the board focus on the protocols by which counties certify vote totals, a necessary step before election outcomes are finalized. Some election board members have refused to certify recent elections, citing a lack of adequate information to verify outcomes. Advocates for broader access to documentation prior to certification argue it would enhance transparency, while critics warn that it may result in certification delays as board members request additional information.

The conservative-led board has also revisited aspects of the 2020 presidential election, having issued a reprimand to Fulton County in May after determining that more than 3,000 ballots appeared to have been scanned twice during a recount, thereby reducing Biden’s lead.

This determination was viewed by many activists as validation of their claims regarding flaws in the election process and the legitimacy of the certification. At a recent meeting, a disagreement ensued between the conservative members and Fervier as they pursued a reopening of the investigation, which could allow for state oversight over Fulton County’s election board due to a law enacted in 2021.

In a separate development, American Oversight, a progressive watchdog organization, filed a lawsuit against the board following a hurried July 12 meeting involving only Johnston, Jeffares, and King. They argue this contravened Georgia’s public meeting notice laws and claim that the presence of at least three members is a requirement for validity, a contention rooted in the fact that Johnston participated remotely.

King contended that the meeting was simply a continuation of an earlier session and had been conducted appropriately.

Marilyn Marks, the executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance, which champions for enhanced election security, mentioned that the board has suffered from prolonged stagnation and has lagged in conducting prompt investigations on violations and election system issues. She attributed responsibility to all parties involved, advocating that everyone shares the blame for the current situation.

“The long-standing inaction of the ‘hold-the-line’ faction made this upheaval predictable,” Marks remarked. “It’s regrettable that the new majority, while trying to address these lingering issues, seems overly aggressive and biased due to their lack of engagement with expert legal guidance on rule-making.”

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abcnews.go.com