How Georgia Could Take Over Atlanta’s Elections
The state is using powers under its controversial new election law that could usurp the authority of local officials.
Fulton county workers count absentee ballots at State Farm Arena on November 6, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Since that election, the state has imposed new restrictions on mail-in ballots.
Photographer: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images North AmericaThere have already been several recounts and investigations into the November 2020 election results in Fulton County, Georgia, but none have surfaced any ballot fraud. Now, Georgia lawmakers are starting another investigation into rumored mishaps in the county, which includes the city of Atlanta. This one, using the powers of a new Georgia voting law, could mean a state takeover of the county’s election administration.
State lawmakers recently ordered a performance review of Fulton County’s elections regime that could end with the county’s elections leaders suspended and replaced by an appointee of the state’s election board — a new power granted under the controversial Georgia law, SB 202, aka the “Election Integrity Act of 2021.”