The Georgia Republican Party has filed a lawsuit against Fulton County, accusing county officials of violating state election law by allowing certain voter centers to accept absentee ballots over the weekend after the early voting period had ended. According to the GOP, this practice effectively extends early voting in predominantly Democratic areas, which the party says directly violates Georgia law.
In a statement released late Friday, the Georgia GOP argued that Fulton County’s actions go against state regulations, specifically Code Section 21-5-385. The law requires all ballot drop boxes to be closed once early voting concludes. “This is a blatant violation of Georgia law,” the GOP statement read, adding that the party had “no choice but to file suit immediately.”
Fulton County hired 15 Republican poll workers and 789 Democrat poll workers.
Fulton County established four special ballot drop boxes to receive absentee ballots after the deadline.
Fulton County ordered staff to not allow observers into the buildings to monitor these drop… https://t.co/IkME1qCUdB pic.twitter.com/gpDjLJYEVq
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) November 2, 2024
Under Georgia election law, the early voting period ends on the Friday prior to the election. While voters can still mail or hand in absentee ballots up until Election Day, the GOP contends that Fulton County’s decision to accept ballots at these centers amounts to creating unauthorized ballot drop boxes, which they argue is illegal.
Fulton County officials reportedly stated that they were keeping certain voter centers open “to accommodate voters seeking to hand-return their absentee ballots.” The Georgia GOP claims that this accommodation is unlawful and unfairly benefits Democratic-leaning areas, where these centers are located.
BREAKING!🚨 The Georgia Republican Party warns of a last minute plan by Fulton County to ILLEGALLY accept absentee ballots in the final hour!
According to Fulton County’s press release they will be accepting absentee ballots Saturday and Sunday at four locations beginning at… pic.twitter.com/v89GAkdXon
— True the Vote (@TrueTheVote) November 2, 2024
The lawsuit emphasizes that Fulton County’s actions are creating a loophole in the election process. “This must be stopped immediately, and those willfully breaking Georgia law should be held accountable,” the GOP’s statement read, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
The legal battle highlights ongoing tensions in Georgia regarding election procedures, especially around absentee ballots and ballot drop boxes. As the case moves forward, the court will determine whether Fulton County’s actions are in compliance with or in violation of state election laws.
GEORGIA-
Fulton County is missing all of their in-person voting images.
They are also missing 17,690 mail-in ballot images.
That exceeds the margin in GA. pic.twitter.com/AB8C6l85sI
— suzy (@Suzy_1776) November 9, 2021
