Trust in Elections: A Call for Action in Fulton County

Trust in elections is crucial for self-governance. Without it, peaceful power transfers are at risk, and public confidence diminishes. Although Georgia has tightened its election laws recently, Fulton County remains a point of contention, testing voter trust across the state.

It’s time for the Georgia State Board of Elections to take over election administration in Fulton County, a power granted by state law.

This isn’t about politics; it’s about institutional integrity.

In 2020, Fulton County was the center of a significant national debate. While much of this discussion was steeped in rhetoric, a more pressing issue was the criminal mismanagement we’ve seen documented. Reports have confirmed that thousands of ballots were allegedly scanned multiple times. In the wake of the 2020 elections, we found numerous irregularities, like missing images of the ballot papers, which are necessary for transparency and auditing purposes. Moreover, evidence suggests that the recount audits were potentially manipulated, with discrepancies ignored.

Even more concerning is the situation with voters whose eligibility has been challenged for not living in Fulton County, based on evidence from the Derek Somerville and Mark Davis cases.

In a rather ironic twist, one illegal vote in 2020 was registered using the address of a Georgia Secretary of State elections official. This ballot, like others, was counted multiple times during a recount. Just because a ballot is counted three times doesn’t make it legitimate. It’s essential to check for such mistakes.

The issues extend beyond 2020. During the 2024 election season, I personally observed staff in Fulton County opening ballot drop-off locations after early voting had closed. Additionally, ballots were processed in a clerk’s office where nonpartisan observers were initially locked out, raising questions about compliance with Georgia law. Access was only granted when both Republican and Democratic observers asserted their rights.

Election administration shouldn’t be swayed by who yells the loudest. Real transparency needs to be built into the system instead of relying on protests.

The dysfunction doesn’t stop at ballot handling. Starting in August 2025, the Fulton County Commission refused to endorse two Republican candidates, despite a clear judicial ruling, appealing instead to the county election board. This has led to an imbalance and a troubling disconnect from the bipartisan oversight mandated by Georgia law. Election administration should not be the domain of any specific group or conducted without oversight. When local officials disregard court orders and exclude legally qualified representatives, it fosters a perception that accountability is arbitrary.

What’s most alarming is that even in 2026, many individuals in Fulton County will still register to vote from addresses clearly contravening Georgia law, like UPS stores and abandoned locations.

Maintaining clean voter rolls should not be a partisan issue; it’s a legal necessity. Ensuring election integrity starts with accurate registration.

Georgia law provides solutions. Following reforms made since 2020, the State Board of Elections holds the authority to suspend and replace county election officials if they uncover systemic negligence, fraud, or severe administrative failures. This power is vital for situations like the current one.

Some critics may argue that taking such actions could escalate tensions, but the opposite is equally true. If ongoing failings are ignored, distrust will only grow. The best way to counteract suspicion is through proficient and transparent administration, overseen by professionals who adhere to the law. Voters in Georgia—regardless of their political affiliation—deserve elections that can withstand scrutiny. Fulton County’s significance commands that it not operate under a veil of preventable issues.

Self-governance is contingent upon public trust. States have both the responsibility and authority to act when that trust is undermined by documented failures or misconduct.

Georgia must take prompt action to ensure the honest representation that our governance requires, uninfluenced by anger or partisanship.