Fulton County leaders speak out about state provision allowing takeover of elections

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia Senate Bill 202, passed during the 2021 Legislative session, has drawn the attention of people throughout the country for a myriad of reasons.

Among the provisions inside the bill that have angered leaders in Fulton County, a clause that gives the State Election Board the power to take over any county election office for underperformance.

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Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts and the county’s legislative delegation held a news conference Thursday morning on the steps of the state Capitol to push back at what they say is a law to suppress voters.

“We in Fulton County conducted a very successful election last year,” Pitts said. “They don’t want you to know the votes were counted three times, on time by hand with no evidence or malfeasance.”

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The Republicans who helped craft SB 202 say the bill does expand voter access and it is a necessary step to protect elections in the state.

Governor Brian Kemp has repeatedly defended the law, as has Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Raffensperger was a vocal proponent of the state having the power to take over county election boards they deemed dysfunctional.

He stands by that and the other elements in the new state law.

“We stand by SB 202 and we stand by House Bill 316,” Raffensperger said. “Those are good election law reforms.”

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The next test of the election battle will be in 2022 as the state prepares to hold a state wide election for governor.

9 months after election, local officials and workers still getting death threats Fulton Count Chairman Robb Pitts said one threat asked him how he wanted to die.

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