Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has sought the advice of the state attorney general regarding the potential removal of three Republican State Election Board (SEB) members following a campaign by Democrats that some are calling an “intimidation” tactic. The complaints, which were submitted to Kemp on August 19 and made public earlier this week, accuse the GOP board members of ethics violations.
Led by state Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D), the complaints allege that the SEB members adopted rules that could disrupt fair elections, coordinated improperly with the Georgia Republican Party, and held a secret meeting in July 2024. These allegations have prompted Gov. Kemp to refer the matter to the attorney general, as there is uncertainty over whether his office has the authority to act on the complaints.
In response to the allegations, the governor’s office released a statement indicating that they have sought legal advice to clarify their ability to intervene. “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,” Kemp’s press secretary stated.
The move to potentially remove the GOP board members has drawn criticism from election integrity advocates, who argue that the complaints are politically motivated. Ken Cuccinelli of the Election Transparency Initiative accused the Democrats of attempting to intimidate the SEB for following state law. He pointed out that Senator Parkes had the opportunity to address any concerns through legislation but chose not to, suggesting that the current complaints are part of a broader strategy to undermine the board’s work.
Janelle King, one of the Republican SEB members targeted by the complaints, defended the board’s actions, emphasizing that the goal is to ensure that the election process is trustworthy. “It’s not about the outcome, it’s about the process,” she said.
As the governor awaits the attorney general’s guidance, the situation underscores the intense political battles over election integrity in Georgia and the potential consequences for the state’s election administration.
