The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) on Tuesday hailed a ruling by a Fulton County Superior Court judge to uphold the rule of law and defend the people’s right to know if their elections are being conducted fair and impartially.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled on Monday that Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections Member (BRE) Julie Adams must be allowed complete access to the election procedures and materials of the election, which the Fulton County Supervisor of Elections has denied to Ms. Adams since she joined the BRE earlier this year.
Richard Lawson, Counsel to Ms. Adams and Senior Litigator with America First Policy Institute’s Center for Litigation stated: “This suit was brought to ensure Ms. Adams had access to all the election material she needs in order to ensure Fulton County elections are free from irregularities, and to have the ability to challenge irregularities in election results. This order preserves her rights in both regards.”
Ms. Adams, Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections Member, added: “Judge McBurney has affirmed that I, as a board member, have a statutory duty to ‘cross-check’ the election returns, procedures, etc. That is where all of this started – when I was denied access to the full range of the election procedures and materials. Judge McBurney has made it clear that preventing me – and other board members in Georgia – cannot be barred from access to the elections in their counties.”
The order further states that certification is mandatory – just as access to the election procedures and materials is mandatory. It also provides that the election superintendents ‘must investigate concerns about miscounts and must report those concerns to a prosecutor if the [concerns] persist after investigation’.
“It is my belief that having access to the entire election process will allow every board member to know and have confidence in the true and accurate results before the time for certification,” said Ms. Adams. “The Court further stated that there are multiple mechanisms available for board members, candidates, and aggrieved electors to raise and voice concerns about the conduct of the election or questions about the election results after certification. And the only way to ensure that the results are accurate is for board members such as myself to be fully knowledgeable about all aspects of the election.”
“I am very gratified by the Court’s ruling and look forward to having the access that I have requested since my first day on the job as a member of the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections,” concluded Ms. Adams.
Learn more about AFPI’s litigation efforts here.
