ATLANTA — Fulton County Board of Commissioners could get arrested for a vote they made Wednesday afternoon.
They decided not to appoint two Republicans to the Board of Elections despite a judge’s order to do so.
The two people they did not appoint are Julie Adams and Jason Frazier.
Both have a history of challenging election results and ballots in the past.
“My understanding is that fines are possible and jail is possible,” said Commissioner Dana Barrett.
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The Board of Elections is made up of two members from each political party. Fulton County’s Republican Party chose to nominate Frazier and Adams. Democrats raised concerns, arguing Adams abstained from certifying election results last year and sued the BOE. Democrats argued Frazier challenged thousands of ballots in the past.
“I cannot and will not cast my vote for people who are undermining, not only our elections, but our democracy,” said Barrett.
Bridgett Thorne responded, “That’s so ridiculous. What is an election denier? An election denier is anybody who wants integrity in our elections.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
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In May, commissioners could not agree. Their vote rejected the appointments. The Fulton County Republican Party sued. A judge ordered commissioners to appoint the nominees.
Commissioners appealed that decision.
“Compelling an elected official to vote a certain way opens up a door that could be very scary nationally,” said Commissioner Mo Ivory.
While an appeals court makes a decision, the first ruling stands. So, commissioners were supposed to appoint Frazier and Adams Wednesday.
“I flew back specifically from vacation to take this particular vote,” said Commissioner Bob Ellis.
Ellis and Thorne voted to follow the court order. Barrett and Ivory did not.
Commissioners Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Rob Pitts and Marvin Arrington, Jr. were no shows.
“Whatever happens next, I’m ready for it,” said Ivory.
“The democracy and the sanctity of our elections is more important to me than my personal freedom,” said Barrett.
Georgia’s Republican Party wants the judge to fine the county daily until the commissioners seat the nominees.
They want the judge to jail those who violated the court order.
Channel 2 is waiting to hear back from Adams, Frazier, and the Fulton County Republican Party.
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