Kemp Consults AG About Removing GOP Election Board Members
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is in discussions with the state’s attorney general regarding the potential removal of three members of the Republican State Election Board (SEB). This consultation comes after a complaint from Democratic lawmakers, alleging ethics violations and an intimidation campaign aimed at these board members for their efforts to uphold election integrity. The complaint, sent to Kemp on August 19 and made public recently, accuses the members of adopting rules that could undermine fair elections and of colluding with the Georgia Republican Party.
Kemp’s office has stated that it will seek further advice from the attorney general to determine if it has the authority to act on these complaints. The allegations have been described by various commentators as an intimidation tactic, targeting both the governor and the SEB for their compliance with state law. The complaint is particularly controversial as it contends the board members are coordinating with a political party to influence election regulations, which they deny.
Supporters of the board members argue that their actions are legitimate and necessary for ensuring trustworthy election processes. The situation has sparked a significant political controversy in Georgia, raising questions about election oversight and potential partisan influence in state governance.
Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is consulting with the state’s attorney general about the possibility of removing the three Republican State Election Board (SEB) members, Kemp’s office says. The consultation follows Democrats launching what is being described as an intimidation campaign to oust the trio for their efforts to secure elections.
The Democrat-led complaint, which was sent to Kemp on Aug. 19 but reportedly made public on Monday, seeks the removal of the three board members over three allegations.
The governor’s office released a statement indicating Kemp would forward the matter to the state attorney general for further advice.
“This office has received Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes and other’s letters alleging ethics violations by members of the State Elections Board,” the statement from Kemp’s press secretary reads. “Due to uncertainty regarding whether this office has authority to act under Code Section 45-10-4 in response to these complaints, we have sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding the application of the statute to the letters. We will respond following receipt of this advice and further evaluation of the letters.”
“Kemp is actually listening to calls from Democrats,” writer Justin Glawe posted on X, citing the statement.
But the complaint is being criticized as an “intimidation campaign targeting Gov. Kemp” and the “Georgia Election Board for complying with state law,” as noted in a recent press release from the Election Transparency Initiative.
“As a member of the State Senate, [Nabilah Islam-Parkes] had every opportunity to advance legislation that would change Georgia’s reconciliation law, but she never even tried,” the National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative Ken Cuccinelli said in a statement. “Now, she and her allies are attempting to intimidate Gov. Kemp into hijacking the duly appointed board and the rulemaking process for the purpose of preventing counties from complying with the law.”
“We urge Gov. Kemp and Attorney General Carr to reject the frivolous process complaints and handwringing of progressives,” Cuccinelli continued.
The Heritage Foundation’s Hans von Spakovsky told The Federalist he is “surprised and shocked that Gov. Kemp … would be inquiring into removing the three GOP members of the State Board of Elections.”
The complaint first alleges the three Republican members adopted “a rule that will interfere with free and fair elections across the state of Georgia.”
The SEB passed a series of rules clarifying that county election boards have the right to make a “reasonable inquiry” into elections prior to certification. Another rule, in part, clarifies board members are “permitted to examine all election related documentation created during the conduct of elections prior to certification of results.” This rule, proposed by Salleigh Grubbs, does not change the certification deadline, but rather explicitly notes the 5:00 p.m. certification deadline on the Monday following the election. Despite the complaint’s allegations, these rules effectively say county officials do not have to rubber-stamp results without first knowing what they’re signing off on.
In a statement to The Federalist, one Republican SEB member who is named in the complaint, Janelle King, said, “It’s a disservice to all voters when our election process is subpar. We, the people, pay for every aspect of the election process, and we deserve to have it done right. It’s not about the outcome, it’s about the process. If the process is right, you can then trust the outcome.”
The complaint then alleges that the members — among whom are also Dr. Janice Johnston and Rick Jeffares — “have illegally coordinated with the Georgia Republican Party, taking advice, guidance, and instruction as to how to subvert the law in their official capacity.”
King told The Federalist that Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon “has not advised us or asked us to do anything.”
“[W]e are not being advised or instructed by anyone,” King continued.
The final allegation is that the members “illegally convened and participated in a secretly planned meeting on July 12, 2024 … .” But King told The Federalist that the “July 12 meeting was a continuation of a meeting that was sent into recess by … chairman [John Fervier] on July 9th. She compared it to “this month’s meeting, which spanned … the course of multiple days and did not require a 30-day, 7-day, or 24-hour notice.”
“We acted in good faith, meeting quorum requirements, and providing a 24-hour door posting for those who wish to participate,” King continued. “Clearly attending virtually is permitted considering our last board meeting was 100% virtual. The ethics complaint is an attempt to stall the work that is being done and [is] disrespectful to all Georgians.”
The complaint asks Kemp to “remove” the three board members and “further, refer the matter to the Attorney General for prosecution, in the event that [he] discover[s] evidence of an actionable violation.”
President and CEO of Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections Derek Lyons said in a statement given to The Federalist that this “noise is what happens every time someone tries to ensure the integrity of our elections.”
“It’s important to remember that what they’re complaining about is the mere idea of having local boards check that election results are accurate before certifying them,” Lyons continued. “So, you have to ask yourself, what are the reasons to object to that?”
Brianna Lyman is an elections correspondent at The Federalist. Brianna graduated from Fordham University with a degree in International Political Economy. Her work has been featured on Newsmax, Fox News, Fox Business and RealClearPolitics. Follow Brianna on X: @briannalyman2
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