Atlanta, GA – A lawsuit was filed Monday against the Georgia State Election Board by a group of election officials and Democrats challenging newly implemented rules. The plaintiffs argue these rules, endorsed by board members aligned with former President Donald Trump, could disrupt the certification of election results in November.
Legal representatives for the plaintiffs claim that while the rules overtly comply with statutory certification deadlines, they introduce undue opportunities for delay by mandating extensive investigations into election results. The controversial rules require a “reasonable inquiry” into the accuracy of results before certification and permit individual county election board members to access “election-related documentation.”
The Georgia county election officials and Democrats, as plaintiffs, worry that these stipulations, though seemingly benign, could be detrimental by allowing for protracted scrutiny of election procedures, which could hinder timely certification.
Janelle King, one of the three board members who advocated for the new rules, countered the allegations, stating that these changes would enhance the integrity of the election process by ensuring transparency and access to necessary documentation. King, with a background as the former deputy state director for the Georgia Republican Party, emphasized that the rules were designed to safeguard, not undermine, the election process.
The lawsuit has drawn attention amid heightened political tensions, as Georgia continues to be a focal point of election-related disputes following the 2020 Presidential election. The rules were publicly praised by Trump during a recent campaign rally, where he lauded King and her fellow board members, Dr. Janice Johnston and Rick Jaffares, for their commitment to election integrity.
In response to the unfolding controversy, some Democratic lawmakers, including Georgia state Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, have called for the resignation of the three board members commended by Trump. McBath expressed concerns that failing to uphold democratic processes could lead the state into chaos.
Further complicating the matter, the Governor’s office, led by Republican Brian Kemp, who has previously resisted Trump’s pressure to overturn the state’s 2020 election results, released a statement acknowledging receipt of an ethics complaint concerning the board members. The statement detailed that legal advice was being sought on the matter, signaling ongoing governmental scrutiny.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaratory judgment from the Fulton County Superior Court to affirm that the state’s certification deadlines remain binding despite the new rules, aiming to prevent potential chaos in the upcoming November elections.
This lawsuit underscores the continuing challenges and political divisions surrounding election administration in Georgia, reflecting broader national debates over voting integrity and election security.