August 6, 2024
ATLANTA – Today, the Georgia State Elections Board (SEB) passed a new measure, authored by Fulton Board Member Michael Heekin, giving a county’s Board of Elections greater discretion in certification. This rule now allows BOE members to withhold certification if they do not believe the election results are accurate, giving them the unlawful power potentially to undermine our elections. In response, All Voting is Local Action Georgia State Director Kristin Nobers issued the following statement:
“Today, the SEB made the disastrous decision to pass the Heekin rule, significantly altering how local elections are certified. Now that the rule has been passed, Board of Election members have the power to withhold certification of elections. This decision dilutes the power of Georgia voters and puts power in the hands of anti-voting extremists who can choose not to certify an election if the results are not their desired outcome. The power to investigate perceived ‘election discrepancies’ in this way does not create transparency in our elections – this measure only seeks to disenfranchise Georgia voters. This could result not only in counties missing the certification deadline but also in the undermining of public trust and confidence in our elections.
“It’s worth mentioning that this measure is also in direct violation of Georgia state law, which says election certification is a must-do, not a discretionary process. When certification decisions are based on subjective judgments, it becomes challenging for the public to assess the validity of election outcomes. This measure is just another thinly veiled attempt to subvert our elections and undermine public confidence in our elections, and we will not stand for it. We will always work to ensure Georgians can make their voices heard.”