Fulton County Democrats Block Republican Election Board Appointments Amid Legal Dispute

Democrats in Fulton County, Georgia, are facing criticism for refusing to confirm two Republican nominees to the county’s elections board, despite a court ruling mandating their appointment. The situation has raised questions about adherence to legal directives and the implications for election integrity in the county.

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners, led by Democrats, has not seated Julie Adams and Jason Frazier, who were nominated by the Republican Party in May. State law requires county commissioners to accept such appointments, yet the board has not complied, citing concerns over the nominees’ past actions related to election certification.

Adams, an incumbent on the board, is currently serving, but the board will soon be one Republican short as Mike Hegan, another Republican member, is set to resign at the end of August. Without Frazier’s confirmation, his seat will remain vacant.

In June, the Fulton County Republican Party filed a lawsuit challenging the board’s inaction. A court ruled in their favor earlier this month, yet the commissioners have continued to delay confirmation. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney described the Democrats’ actions as a “bad faith” stall tactic.

Republican Commissioner Bridget Thorne attempted to introduce a motion to confirm both Adams and Frazier, but it failed to pass. “We need to follow the law and confirm these appointments,” Thorne stated, emphasizing the importance of upholding legal obligations.

Democrat Commissioner Dana Barrett argued that no judge could compel her to approve the nominations, asserting, “I respect the rule of law, but I will not be forced to vote a certain way.”

Critics have pointed out the apparent hypocrisy in the Democrats’ stance. Mo Ivory, another Democrat commissioner, stated, “The act of voting itself is discretionary. No one should force an elected official or any voter to cast a particular vote.”

However, Adams has previously faced backlash for exercising her discretion when she declined to certify the results of the March presidential preference primary, claiming she was denied access to essential election materials. This led her to file a lawsuit seeking clarification on her role in certifying elections.

Adams’ initial challenge was dismissed on procedural grounds, but she later refiled. The court ultimately ruled that election officials must certify results, regardless of their personal beliefs about the election’s integrity.

The Democratic Party of Georgia has previously threatened criminal charges against board members who did not certify election results, raising concerns about the pressure on election officials to conform to party expectations. Gabe Sterling, chief operating officer of Georgia’s Secretary of State’s office, suggested that jurisdictions should have plans to address non-compliance among election officials.

As the situation unfolds, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners remains divided, with Democrats asserting their right to discretion while blocking Republican nominees. The implications of this standoff could have lasting effects on election oversight in the county, as both parties navigate the complexities of election law and governance.