Key Takeaways:
– The Georgia State Election Board is to mull over changes to the state’s election rules in its first post-election meeting.
– The proposed rule amendments include a mandate for counties to make public the list of valid voters no sooner than five days after each election.
– The board has two conservative members appointed this year, leading to heated debates over several election administration proposals.
– Georgia’s Supreme Court has agreed to evaluate the legality of several rules enacted this year by Georgia election officials.
Introducing the Meeting Agenda
The Georgia State Election Board is set to conduct its first post-election meeting on Monday. The foremost item on the docket? Resuming the board’s recent efforts to alter Georgia’s election rules. This proposition is anticipated to spark renewed debate concerning the contentious review of mass voter challenges by counties.
The upcoming state board meeting features a shorter agenda, a departure from recent series of lengthy meetings aimed at enforcing new electoral rules before the November 5th election. Members of the public are welcome to share their thoughts regarding the board’s objectives during a comment period early Monday morning.
Impact of Georgia’s Election Outcome on Rulemaking Drive
Donald Trump emerged victorious in the recent election in Georgia, a major win for the state’s Republicans who are presently engaged in a legal battle regarding changes to the State Election Board’s rulemaking. The victory was seen as an endorsement of the board’s attempts to transform the voting landscape before November’s election. Three board members, named Janelle King, Janice Johnston, and Rick Jeffares, were lauded by Trump this fall for their unwavering efforts.
Upcoming Changes Wanted by Voters
One of the propositions on Monday’s agenda includes two rule amendment petitions submitted by Lucia Frazier of Roswell. Frazier’s petition necessitates each county to release a list of all eligible voters during and after every election. The proposed list, which would be made public no later than five days after every primary, election, or run-off, would contain each voter’s name, voter ID, precinct, and check-in time. This records must stay available to the public for two years post-election.
Frazier, in her petition, clearly stated her aim for the change, asserting it to affirm the existing Georgia law that allows citizens to access all data generated during elections.
Counties vs. Mass Voter Challenges
Following a report by Executive Director Mike Coan about mass voter challenges in Fulton and other metro Atlanta counties, the State Election Board will continue the debate on Monday. Last month, Trump-aligned members of the Georgia election board voted against other members in a bid to ask state lawmakers to revise rules, making it harder for county election boards to discard large-scale challenges to voters’ eligibility.
The Power and Influence of the Election Board
Georgia’s board is instrumental in ensuring smooth elections and hearing complaints about alleged violations, yet it has no direct role in determining election results. Even though the state Legislature is responsible for making laws that oversee elections, the board has tried to push its agenda since this summer. However, a newly solidified majority of Republican partisans on the board has raised concerns among Democrats and voting rights groups who fear that these new rules might impede efficient election administration and swift result certification.
Ahead: Legislative Session and Further Changes
Madeline Summerville, an Atlanta-based attorney and political analyst, expressed hope that the outcome of November’s election will diminish the rush to alter Georgia’s election rules. According to her, the 2024 general election will prove the current election administration protocols are functioning well and contradict allegations of widespread fraud. She also noted that the forthcoming legislative session might be where new election rules are instituted.
Summerville believes there is likely to be fewer pushes for change in the future, given the recent election results, but stressed that the state Legislature will pick the most persuasive arguments for consideration.