Fulton County Board Defies Court Orders on GOP Election Appointees

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners has once again declined to confirm two Republican nominees for the county’s elections board, despite a court order mandating their approval. This ongoing standoff has raised concerns about compliance with state law and the implications for upcoming elections.

In May, the Republican Party of Fulton County nominated Julie Adams and Jason Frazier to serve on the elections board. Under Georgia law, county commissioners are required to accept these appointments. However, the board, led by Democratic members, initially rejected the nominees, citing concerns over their election integrity efforts.

After the Fulton County Republican Party filed a lawsuit in June, a court ruled in their favor in early August. Despite this ruling, the commissioners continued to resist compliance. On August 16, Fulton County Superior Court Judge David Emerson ordered the board to confirm Adams and Frazier at their next regularly scheduled meeting, describing the board’s actions as a “bad faith” stall tactic.

Judge Emerson stated, “The court directs the defendant board to comply with its order.” However, the board filed a motion asking the court to reconsider its decision, which was subsequently denied by the Georgia Court of Appeals.

On August 22, the board voted 2-2 on a motion from Republican Commissioner Bridget Thorne to confirm the nominees, with three members absent at the time of the vote. Thorne argued that the delay was causing “irreparable harm,” particularly with a special election for a state senate seat approaching.

Fulton County GOP Chair Stephanie Endres echoed this concern, stating, “There are elections happening right now and our representation is being denied.”

In response to Thorne’s motion, Democrat Commissioner Dana Barrett asserted that no judge could compel her to approve the nominations. She expressed her willingness to face potential legal consequences, saying, “I respect the rule of law, but I will not be forced to cast a particular vote.”

Following the board’s vote, Frazier expressed disappointment with the decision, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring compliance with election laws. “My only goal is to help Fulton County follow election laws and run clean elections,” he said.

Adams also commented on the situation, stating, “The Fulton Board of Commissioners was ordered to comply with the order of the court on Friday or risk being held in contempt. Today, they defied that order.”

In light of the board’s refusal to comply with the court’s directive, the Fulton County GOP filed a motion on August 24 asking the court to hold the commissioners in both civil and criminal contempt. Georgia law permits local officials to face misdemeanor charges for deliberately delaying legal proceedings, which could lead to removal from office.

As the situation unfolds, the actions of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners are under scrutiny, raising questions about adherence to the law and the impact on local governance.

The ongoing conflict highlights the contentious political landscape in Fulton County, where election integrity remains a focal point of debate. The outcome of this dispute may have significant implications for future elections in the area.