Fulton County sues Georgia election board for control over election monitoring

Fulton County is suing the Republican -controlled Georgia State Election Board for control over its election monitoring.

In the latest of several lawsuits targeting the State Election Board, Fulton County is alleging that election monitoring in the county by the state is outside of its jurisdiction and that it has improperly handled its duties.

“The SEB has repeatedly provided conflicting information and failed to take action related to monitors,” Fulton Election Board Chairwoman Sherri Allen said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “With less than 30 days until the Nov. 5 general election, the Fulton County Board of Registration & Elections has filed a petition for declaratory and injunctive relief in order to seek clarification from the court about responsibilities for monitors for the upcoming election.”

The Republican-controlled SEB appointed figures who voiced skepticism over the 2020 election results, leading to outrage from Fulton County officials. The populous county that includes most of Atlanta appointed its own team to monitor the election, which the SEB objected to.

The SEB was quick to respond to the lawsuit, issuing two subpoenas — one for county records from the 2020 election and one for Fulton board members to appear at a meeting.

In its lawsuit, Fulton County described the election-monitoring team sent by the SEB as "the latest in a blitz of last-minute attempts to drastically impact the imminent general election."

Republican SEB member Janelle King cast blame on Fulton County for refusing to accept the state's monitoring team.

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“Had they worked with us, with the monitoring team, we wouldn’t be here,” she said. “So, this is not the board wanting to put pressure on any county, but if you’re not going to listen and you’re not going to be responsive, if you’re not going to do what you say you’re going to do, then we have to.”

Last week, the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Party of Georgia, backed by Vice President Kamala Harris ’s campaign, sued the SEB for a new rule that would require counties to count ballots by hand.