PRESS RELEASE | AUGUST 28, 2024 (San Diego, CA)
Citizen AG has filed a lawsuit against the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections (FCDRE) and its Board Members as well as Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger after video surfaces of FCDRE Chair stating "Fulton County never does an independent search for anybody."
This is never-before-obtained evidence that could change the entire outcome of election lawsuits in one of the nation's most volitale counties.
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Fulton County has a legal obligation and duty under both Federal and State law to remove ineligible voters to ensure that their voter rolls are accurate. An obligation and duty Fulton County have admittedly dodged like that friend who always “forgets” their wallet at dinner. Now, thanks to Citizen AG, it seems Fulton County is about to get a very public lesson on why dodging legal obligations and duties isn’t a strategy, it’s an invitation—for a legal smackdown. Don’t take our word for it, take it straight from the horse’s mouth when Fulton County Commissioner Bridget Thorne questioned the Chair of FCDRE about whether the FDBOC or FDCRE was fulfilling its obligations under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-228 to do routine maintenance on the voter rolls and remove ineligible voters. The following exchange ensued:
THORNE: So, my question is, are we doing routine maintenance of the voter rolls by rremoving felons––convicted felons from our list?
PERKINS-HOOKER: Commissioner Thorne, Fulton County never does an independent search for anybody; dead people, felons, people who live out-of-state. From this admission it seems clear that Fulton county has been sitting on its hands when it comes to removing ineligible voters, like those who have died, or those who have decided Georgia humidity just isn’t for them anymore and moved out of the State.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: One of the biggest implications of having bloated voter rolls – where there are more registered voters than eligible citizens – is the increased risk of ineligible ballots being filled out and turned in. Once ineligible ballots are turned in, it’s up to the Fulton County officials in charge of signature verification to catch it, and therein lies the problem. The same officials in Fulton County who have already admitted to violating State and Federal Law by stating that they never do routine maintenance to search for and remove deceased voters, felons, or voters that move out of state, are also the ones responsible for the signature verification process. If they are already at the least negligent in following the law, or at the worst intentionally refusing to obey it when it comes to maintaining accurate voter rolls, what makes anyone so sure that they will approach signature verification any differently? When the FCBOC and FCDRE refuse to follow the law in one area, like voter roll maintenance, it casts doubt on their willingness to follow the law and fulfill their legal obligations and duties in other critical areas like signature verification.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This lawsuit stands to set precedent and impose positive changes to election practices not just in Fulton County, but across the entire State of Georgia. Additionally, it sends a message to other counties and local government officials to do their jobs, follow the law, and fulfill their legal obligations and duties before the courts or voters come knocking. Keeping elections fair and accurate isn’t just a matter of State and Federal law, its common sense. If Fulton County needed a reminder of that, well they just got served.
HOW YOU CAN HELP.
As it stands today, the State of the Judiciary often reflects a harsh reality. That for most people, even when the law is on their side, they will only get the justice they are able to afford. This is where Citizen AG steps in. We are committed to holding public officials accountable and ensuring that they follow the law. But to continue this fight, we need your help. Legal battles like the one against Fulton County require not just time and effort, but substantial financial resources. Your donation to Citizen AG isn’t just a contribution; it’s an investment in the pursuit of justice, and in this case, forcing Fulton County and the State of Georgia (A swing state that will likely determine who the next President of the United States will be) to remove ineligible voters and run a fair and accurate election. Please consider donating to Citizen AG today. Together we can level the playing field and ensure that justice isn’t just reserved for those who can afford it but is accessible to all who seek it. Your contribution no matter how small makes a difference.
