Republicans in Georgias General Assembly have requested a performance review of the top election official in Fulton County, the first step in a possible takeover of the countys electoral process that could give the Republican-led legislature more control over an area with the largest concentration of Democratic voters in the state.
The request, submitted in a letter on Tuesday by State Senator Butch Miller and signed by about two dozen other Republican state senators, calls for a panel review of Richard Barron, the county election director, over what the lawmakers described as a failure to properly perform risk-limiting audits, a process that helps ensure the correct results and security, after the 2020 election.
We do so as a measure of last resort, having failed to adequately assuage the concern that we, as elected officials, have regarding the integrity of the Fulton County elections process, Mr. Miller wrote in the letter.
Fulton County, which includes much of Atlanta, has a record of problems with its elections. Most recently, its June 2020 primary contest was marred by voting machine difficulties that were exacerbated by the small size and poor training of its staff, causing lines to stretch for hours across the county.
But the November general election and the January runoff elections in the county ran relatively smoothly on each Election Day, with few reports of lengthy waits or other complications. There were no legitimate questions about the accuracy of the results in any of the three recent elections. In the presidential race, President Biden carried the county with more than 72 percent of the vote and more than 380,000 votes.
The review process for local election officials is a newly critical element to Georgia elections after state Republicans passed a sweeping new voting law in April. It includes several provisions that lay the groundwork for an extraordinary takeover of election administration by partisan lawmakers.
Under the new law, the State Elections Board is permitted to replace county election board members after a performance review or investigation. But the new law also restructures the state board, stripping the secretary of state of his authority and giving the legislature the ability to appoint members, including the chair.
The letter, which was earlier reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, was signed by three Republican members of the Fulton County delegation in the State Senate. The letters authors said they expected members of Fulton Countys House delegation to join them, which would automatically begin the review.
State Representative Chuck Martin, a Republican member of the Fulton County House delegation, said he supported the request for the performance review. Jan Jones, the speaker pro tempore and another member of the delegation, said that she would send a letter on Friday to the State Elections Board requesting a performance review of Fulton County elections officials, and that it would be signed by four members of the Fulton delegation.
Mine is not with an eye on taking over elections, Mr. Martin said in an interview on Thursday. This just seems to be the only way we can get data to get answers for the people we represent.
Mr. Barron, the Fulton County election director, did not respond to requests for comment.
Democrats quickly denounced the move, warning that it undermined the sanctity of future elections.
After giving themselves unprecedented power under Senate Bill 202, Republicans wasted no time in waging an anti-democratic, partisan power grab, attempting to seize control of elections in Georgias largest county, home to the greatest number of voters of color in the state, said Lauren Groh-Wargo, the chief executive of Fair Fight Action, a Democratic voting rights group based in Georgia. Their partisan efforts risk election subversion.
Brad Raffensperger, the Republican secretary of state, supported the review.
I have called repeatedly for change in Fultons elections leadership, so Im glad Republican legislators are joining me in this effort, he said in a statement. After Fultons failures last June, I required Fulton to accept a monitor during the general election and runoffs, and forced the county into a consent agreement to start fixing their management problems.
Read this article:
Georgia G.O.P. Edges Toward Election Takeover in Fulton County - The New York Times
- NBC's Chuck Todd Explains Why He's Changed How He Reports On Republicans - The Daily Wire [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- 'Red State Blues' Explores What Bolsters And Tempers Republicans' Success - Texas Standard [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- In leaked audio, a top Trump adviser said the Republican party has 'traditionally' relied on voter suppression - Business Insider [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- 'A rocky road': Wisconsin Republicans recap the first year of split control under Gov. Tony Evers - Madison.com [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Iowa swung fiercely to Trump. Will it swing back in 2020? - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- In the Time of Trump, Are Republicans Crazies or Cowards? - The Daily Beast [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- How a 'legislative terrorist' conquered the Republican Party - The Week [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Republican group to run ads in target states demanding testimony from White House officials in Trump impeachment trial | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Decade in review: Justice Antonin Scalias death and the Republican delay in filling the seat - SCOTUSblog [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Republicans Are Fiscally Reckless and Irresponsible - Washington Monthly [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Fear and Loyalty: How Donald Trump Took Over the Republican Party - The New York Times [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- Blumenthal: Five to 10 Republicans have 'severe misgivings' about McConnell strategy | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2019]
- House Republicans and Democratic governor feud over the Louisiana budget, again - The Advocate [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Republican governors grapple with whether to accept refugees - Press Herald [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Why Shouldnt Pelosi Try to Strong-Arm the Republicans? It Has Worked for Decades. | News and Politics - PJ Media [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Outmaneuvering the Republicans (letter) | Letters To The Editor - LancasterOnline [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Wisconsin Democrats say Republicans have made thwarting Gov. Tony Evers their priority - Madison.com [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Republicans are leaving the House at a record pace. Why? - CBS News [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- ANOTHER OPINION: Trump completes takeover of Republican Party - Goshen News [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- For evangelicals, climate change causes a split between young and old that could hurt Republicans - The Boston Globe [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Eric Hubner: Republican senators should stand up to the appeasement of Trump - Salt Lake Tribune [Last Updated On: December 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2019]
- Brent Budowsky: The patriotic duty of Senate Republicans | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- 'Too personally invested': Republicans demand FISA court explain why Obama official picked to oversee reforms - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Never Trumpers flame out - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republican leader who sent their child to conversion therapy says child abuse makes people gay - LGBTQ Nation [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- As Democrats resurrect carbon bill, Republicans leave all options on the table including another walkout - malheurenterprise.com [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Pen-t up anger: Republicans pounce on Pelosi over ceremonial writing tools - The Guardian [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Franklin Republican wants to make it a crime to burn symbol of liberty - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans vote down teacher pay boost plan - The Herald [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- How Tim Kaine convinced Republicans to vote to rein in Trump's war powers - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans face reckoning on impeachment witnesses - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Matt Gaetz Is in an Internecine Beef With Another Florida Republican - Esquire.com [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Rand Paul on Senate trial: 'I don't think any Republicans are going to vote for impeachment' - msnNOW [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- 'The New York Times' Is Enabling Republican Lies - The Nation [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Trump and Republicans are courting Florida's Latinos. Democrats in the state are worried. - NBC News [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans face internal brawl over impeachment witnesses | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Rand Paul threatens fellow Republicans with explosive witness votes - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- The Real Risks of Republicans Burying Their Heads in the Sand - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Abortion laws give Republican politicians what they crave control | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Republicans will pay on Election Day for politicizing Trump's impeachment | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- Nationalist 'antics' or the future of the GOP? College Republicans are at war - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2020]
- A Few Republicans And The American Public: Democrats Target Their Impeachment Message - NPR [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans Are Bathed in Shame - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- There Were No 'Moderate Republicans' in the Senate on Tuesday. Only Collaborators. - Esquire [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- The Values We Share (or Why I Am A Republican) - The Bulwark [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republicans are schooling us in the definition of 'chutzpah' - Cape Cod Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Grieder: Dan Crenshaw is right to say that Republicans cant afford to ignore climate change - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- This Former Co-Host of 'The View' Says She Was Told To 'Act Republican' - Showbiz Cheat Sheet [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Sorry, But Democrats Have to Compromise and Republicans Don't - Mother Jones [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Flake: Republicans don't speak out against Trump 'because they want to keep their jobs' | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republicans upping investment in Florida and other key battlegrounds - Florida Politics [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- No Republican in Congress Is Thinking Past Tomorrow's Lunch Menu - Esquire [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- DCCC to run ads tying 11 House Republicans to Trump remarks on entitlements | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- How Republicans made millions on the 2017 tax cuts they pushed through Congress - Vox.com [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Republican Senators May Save Trump, but Trump has Already F*cked Them - The Daily Beast [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Why Democrats Still Have to Appeal to the Center, but Republicans Dont - The New York Times [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Why Hillary Clinton is the world's greatest gift to Republicans - New York Post [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2020]
- Buttigieg on plan to win over Republicans: 'I'm not trying to trick anybody' - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Readers respond: Republicans must do the right thing - oregonlive.com [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Commentary: Note To Republicans- When You Are Innocent, Witnesses And Documents Should Be Welcomed - KRWG [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Equality Should Not Be A Partisan Issue: Where Do Key Republicans Stand On It? - InsiderNJ [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Republican senate candidates disagree about whether a border wall is the solution to illegal immigration - Chicago Daily Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Kobe Bryant: Reaction to his tragic death; career highlights - Waterbury Republican American [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Democrats step up pressure over witnesses after Bolton bombshell | TheHill - The Hill [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Republicans grew our economy - and in the process, turned Arizona purple - AZCentral [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans have final chance to stand for country - The Daily Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Managing an unruly world far and near: Q&A with Republican congressional candidate Todd Kent - Waco Tribune-Herald [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- After Trumps Acquittal, It Will Only Get Worse for Republicans - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Senate Republicans push back on calls for more impeachment witnesses - POLITICO [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2020]
- Trump Boasts That Republican Lawmakers Have Turned Him Into A King - PoliticusUSA [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Meet the Candidate She's aiming to be the next Republican Jewish woman in Congress - Jewish Insider [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- 'What Have We Become?' New Republican Video Rips Trump Revenge On Lt. Col. Vindman - HuffPost [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Why Democrats And Republicans May Make The Best Teammates At Work - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Anderson: Why the Democrats - and Republicans - are doomed - The Ledger [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Democrats and Republicans agree on this: Social Security and Medicare need help and soon - MarketWatch [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Trump struggles to win over Republicans on immigration - POLITICO [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- The Democratic Party Is Collapsing. Just Like the Republican Party Did. - The Bulwark [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Republicans Think President Trump Had Every Right To Fire Government Officials Who Testified Against Him - BuzzFeed News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- With Republicans, the best is yet to come - Youngstown Vindicator [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]
- Washington-Based Republican Partnership Supports Non-Sitting Candidate In Iowa Race For First Time - 1380 KCIM [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2020]