Georgia’s New Election Rules Spark Concerns as November Approaches

The Georgia State Election Board, once a relatively low-profile body, has become a focal point of controversy this year. A new Republican majority, composed of a retired obstetrician, a former state senator with aspirations for a Trump administration role, and a right-wing media personality, is implementing new regulations that could potentially disrupt the electoral process in November.

With less than two months until Election Day, these new rules, supported by three Republicans on the five-member board, are raising alarms about their potential to affect the certification of election results, particularly if Vice President Kamala Harris secures a victory in the state. Election experts and voting rights advocates express concern that these last-minute changes could create chaos and undermine public confidence in the election process.

Sarah Tindall Ghazal, the board’s only Democrat, has voiced her concerns about the impact of these changes. “Implementing such rules at the last minute leads to chaos, which undermines trust in our elections,” she said. Ghazal, who has been relatively quiet since her appointment in 2021, has recently stepped into the spotlight to counter the board’s shift towards right-wing policies.

The board is scheduled to review additional rule changes at its upcoming meeting on September 20. Ghazal criticized the majority Republicans for disregarding the advice of legal and election experts. “They’re not considering the input from attorneys or election administrators and are ignoring anyone who doesn’t share their belief that the elections are rigged,” she said.

Historically, the board was led by Georgia’s Secretary of State. However, following former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his loss in Georgia in 2020—pressuring Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” additional votes—the GOP-controlled legislature removed Raffensperger from the board.

“The state election board is a mess,” Raffensperger recently remarked.

Defending the Changes

Janelle King, a media personality appointed to the board in May by Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, has been a vocal advocate for the new rules. Despite facing criticism and ethics complaints, King remains defiant. “I don’t care because I know we haven’t done anything wrong,” she told CNN. King dismisses accusations of attempting to steal elections, asserting that the new rules, including allowing partisan local election board members to conduct inquiries before certifying results, are intended to ensure accuracy.

While the state election board itself does not certify election results, it establishes rules that guide local election boards in certifying results before they are forwarded to the Secretary of State and Governor. The board also investigates election irregularities. King and other Republicans argue that these rule changes are vital for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of vote counts.

Rick Jeffares, a former state senator who joined the board this year, has attracted attention for past social media posts promoting unfounded claims about election fraud and his speculative remarks about a future Trump administration role. Although he downplayed his aspirations, his history and controversial statements have added to the board’s contentious reputation.

Janice Johnston, a retired obstetrician and another new board member, has been criticized for promoting falsehoods about the 2020 election. At a recent MAGA event, Johnston highlighted her seniority on the newly restructured board, and she attended a Trump rally where the former president praised the board’s Republican members.

Election Officials’ Concerns

John Fervier, the independent chair of the board, appointed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp, has opposed several controversial rules proposed by the Republican majority. He has warned that some of these changes could be legally precarious and has unsuccessfully pushed to halt investigations into the 2020 election.

The rapid pace and partisan nature of the board’s activities, so close to the election, have alarmed election officials across the state. Deirdre Holden, elections supervisor in Paulding County, expressed concerns that the new rules could delay results on election night, placing additional scrutiny on local offices.

A statewide association of election workers has urged the board to cease passing rule changes before the election. A Democrat state senator and Cathy Woolard, former chair of the Fulton County Board of Elections, have filed ethics complaints against the board’s Republican members. Woolard criticized the board for creating a partisan environment that she believes could disrupt election processes.

Amid these concerns, Gabriel Sterling, Chief Operating Officer of the Secretary of State’s office, reassured the public that election certification would be completed by November 12, aiming to mitigate fears and maintain public confidence.