Current:Home > MarketsElection board member in Georgia’s Fulton County abstains from certifying primary election -ProfitQuest Academy
Election board member in Georgia’s Fulton County abstains from certifying primary election
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:38:00
ATLANTA (AP) — The election board in Georgia’s largest county voted on Tuesday to certify its May 21 election results, but not before one of the board’s Republican-appointed members abstained.
The abstention by Fulton County election board member Julie Adams aligns with her lawsuit seeking to more closely control election operations and to win a legal ruling finding county election boards can refuse to certify election results.
Reading a prepared statement, Adams argued she couldn’t accept the results given prior election administration problems in the county, and argued that the board has illegally given its powers to employees.
“It’s time to fix the problems in our elections by ensuring compliance with the law, transparency in election conduct and accuracy in results,” Adams said. “And in my duty as a board member, I want to make sure that happens.”
The other four members, including Republican-appointed Michael Heekin, voted to certify the results in what Elections Director Nadine Williams called a “very successful election.”
In question is a portion of Georgia law that says county officials “shall” certify results after engaging in a process to make sure they are accurate. Those who disagree with Adams, including the Democratic Party of Georgia, argue that the law gives county election board members no wiggle room to vote against certifying results, saying the lawsuit is a ploy by the supporters of Donald Trump.
“Trump and MAGA Republicans have made it clear they are planning to try to block certification of November’s election when they are defeated again, and this is a transparent attempt to set the stage for that fight,” Democratic party chair and U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams said in a statement when the party moved to intervene in the lawsuit on Friday.
The suit, backed by the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute, argues that county election board members have the discretion to reject certification. It’s not clear what would happen if a county refused to certify, although the dispute would probably end in court. A prolonged battle after the November general election could keep Georgia from awarding its 16 electoral votes on time, or prevent officials including county sheriffs and state legislators from taking office in January.
Adams asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville to grant her temporary relief before Tuesday’s vote to certify the May 21 primary, but he hasn’t acted. The suit is against the Fulton County Board of Registrations and Elections, of which Adams is a member. The board hasn’t yet answered the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also cites a list of materials that Adams argued she should have access to before being asked to vote on certification. During proceedings Tuesday, the board voted to provide access to its members to at least one of the items demanded in the suit — envelopes that voters use to mail their absentee ballots to the county.
Some other documents sought in the suit may have been provided as well — county spokesperson Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez refused to provide a complete list, saying only that the staff “provided extensive documentation to board members in order to answer their questions about the May 21 primary election.”
Heekin, the other Republican board member, was largely complimentary of the information provided Tuesday.
“It was very helpful in evaluating the performance in the election, and I hope we will consider this as a warmup for the fall,” he said, adding that he’d like to find ways to make examination of documents go more smoothly.
But Adams said she believed she would need “days” to evaluate whether she believed results were accurate.
She also argues that the board must take back its powers from its employees, including the director.
“The BRE is currently a window dressing, and that cannot be the correct interpretation of the law,” Adams said. “Currently all important decisions are made by the staff and behind closed doors. If we have no transparency to the board, what does that say for transparency to the people we serve?”
Board Chairperson Cathy Woolard pushed back on that claim, however, saying the board is ultimately in charge of the staff.
“We speak with one voice to our director, who then takes that direction to the rest of the staff,” Woolard said.
Aaron Johnson, a Democratic-appointed member of the board, disagreed with Adams’ position, saying she was disregarding improvements that the million-resident county has made in running elections.
“The problem that we have in Fulton County is the continuous misrepresentation of what actually is going on,” Johnson said.
veryGood! (68993)
Related
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Indiana governor breaks ground on $1.2 billion state prison that will replace 2 others
- Kourtney Kardashian Slams Narcissist Kim After Secret Not Kourtney Group Chat Reveal
- Oxford High School shooter will get life in prison, no parole, for killing 4 students, judge rules
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Another Taylor Swift surge? Ticket prices to Chiefs matchup against Jets in New York rise
- Desde los taqueros veganos hasta un escándalo político, escucha estos podcasts
- People's Choice Country Awards 2023 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look as the Stars Arrive
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Inaugural People's Choice Country Awards hosted by Little Big Town: How to watch, who's nominated?
Ranking
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Report: High-risk problem gambling fell slightly in New Jersey even as sports betting took off
- 'The Creator' is based on big ideas — and a lot of spare parts
- Utah and Arizona will pay to keep national parks open if federal government shutdown occurs
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- The Best Beauty Advent Calendars of 2023: Lookfantastic, Charlotte Tilbury, Revolve & More
- Did this couple predict Kelce-Swift romance? Halloween costume from 2020 goes viral
- Simon Cowell Reveals If 9-Year-Old Son Eric Will Follow in His Footsteps
Recommendation
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Heidi Klum Reveals the Relatable Lesson Her Kids Have Taught Her
The Rolling Stones release new gospel-inspired song with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder: Listen
San Francisco mayor proposes enforced drug tests, treatment for those receiving government aid
Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
Norway joins EU nations in banning Russian-registered cars from entering its territory
Child care cliff is days away as fed funding expires. Millions could lose child care, experts say.
Summer House's Paige DeSorbo Weighs in on Carl Radke and Lindsay Hubbard's Shocking Break Up