The election board in Georgia’s largest county, Fulton County, voted to certify its May 21 election results despite one Republican-appointed member, Julie Adams, abstaining. Adams abstained due to concerns about prior election administration problems in the county and argued that the board had illegally given its powers to employees. The other four members, including another Republican-appointed member, Michael Heekin, voted to certify the results, with Elections Director Nadine Williams calling it a “very successful election.”
The dispute revolves around a portion of Georgia law that states county officials “shall” certify results after ensuring their accuracy. Supporters of Adams argue that county election board members have the discretion to reject certification, while critics, including the Democratic Party of Georgia, believe the law leaves no room to vote against certification. The lawsuit, backed by the Trump-aligned America First Policy Institute, alleges that county election board members can refuse certification, leading to potential legal battles if a county refuses to certify election results.
The Democratic Party of Georgia has accused supporters of Donald Trump of attempting to block certification of future elections with this lawsuit, suggesting it is a ploy for when they are defeated again. The party has moved to intervene in the lawsuit, asserting that the lawsuit is laying the groundwork for contesting the November general election results. The lawsuit could impact Georgia’s ability to award its 16 electoral votes on time and delay the inauguration of officials in January if the dispute escalates.
Adams sought temporary relief from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville before the vote to certify the May 21 primary, but no action was taken. The lawsuit targets the Fulton County Board of Registrations and Elections, of which Adams is a member. Adams argued for access to certain materials before voting on certification, and the board agreed to provide access to some demanded items, such as envelopes used to mail absentee ballots. However, Adams believes more time is needed to evaluate the accuracy of the results and argues that the board must take back its decision-making powers from employees.
Board Chairperson Cathy Woolard refuted Adams’ claim that employees controlled important decisions, stating that the board ultimately directs the staff. Democratic-appointed member Aaron Johnson disagreed with Adams, highlighting improvements in the county’s election operations. Adams criticized the lack of transparency in the board’s decision-making process, pointing to the need for increased oversight. The ongoing dispute raises concerns about the potential impact on future elections and the certification process in Fulton County.
