Georgia

Georgia’s Supreme Court election: What to know ahead of the primary

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2024

Georgia’s Supreme Court election: What to know ahead of the primary

Another Georgia election is right around the corner, and thanks to early voting, many residents have already cast their ballot. While partisan politics generally takes up the most airtime, one nonpartisan race has begun to make headlines this year: the battle over a state Supreme Court seat.

Though they are often much quieter than their partisan counterparts, judicial elections nonetheless play a crucial role in the lives of Georgia residents. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s judicial elections.

When are the next Georgia judicial elections?

Nonpartisan elections will be held as part of the Georgia state primary on Tuesday, May 21. Voters should check their My Voter Page at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ to view the most up-to-date information about their registration status, polling locations, and sample ballots.

Who is running for the Georgia Supreme Court in 2024?

Four sitting justices, John Ellington, Nels Peterson, Andrew Pinson and Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs are currently running for re-election. The newest member of the court, Andrew Pinson, is currently being challenged by former Democratic Congressman John Barrow.

Barrow recently made headlines by openly centering abortion rights in his Georgia Supreme Court campaign — a tactic that has made him the subject of an ethics complaint due to a state law that urges judicial candidates to “not make statements or promises that commit the candidate with respect to issues likely to come before the court that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of judicial office.”

More: Mark your calendars: Here is every date you need to know to vote in Georgia in 2024

Barrow defended his position at the Atlanta Press Club Debates in April.

“Partiality has nothing to do with your opinions about the law,” he said. “As the root word implies, it entails feelings about the parties, being in favor of one party or another. The United States Supreme Court explained this a good while back when they said ‘impartiality,’ of the sort that judges should strive for, means you’re not going to favor one party over another.”

“Every person who’s expected to be a judge has to have strong feelings about the law,” Barrow continued. “If he doesn’t, he’s not qualified to serve on the court.”

Barrow filed a lawsuit in federal court in response to the complaint, arguing that it impedes his First Amendment right to free speech, but a judge has yet to issue a ruling.

Georgia elections: Important dates, how to register, and what to know ahead of 2024

What types of cases does the Georgia Supreme Court hear?

The Georgia Supreme Court is the highest judicial power in the state, and thus will review decisions in both civil and criminal cases made by lower courts across the state. The court has appellate jurisdiction over a wide variety of cases, including:

Constitutionality cases
Election contests
Cases involving title to land, divorce, wills or equity
Death sentence appeals
Habeas corpus (unlawful detention) cases
All cases involving extraordinary remedies

The nine justices will typically hear cases en banc, and assign one justice to write the court opinion. In order for a lower court decision to be overturned or reversed, at least five justices must concur.

How do Supreme Court elections work?

Unlike seats in the legislative or executive branch, justices on the supreme court are elected through a nonpartisan election process, and serve six-year terms. This year, four of the nine justices are running for re-election, with only one justice facing a primary challenger.

Although Supreme Court justices in Georgia are elected via popular vote, there is rarely an open seat on the court; new justices are almost always appointed by the governor to finish out their successor’s term, and will then run as an incumbent in the next election.

Though partisan politics don’t necessarily play a role in judicial campaigns, the overall composition of the court skews conservative. Out of the nine sitting justices, eight were appointed by Republican governors, including Pinson. The other was appointed to a state appellate court by a Democratic governor, and later won his seat unopposed.

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Georgia

Georgia cops’ alleged misuse of Flock license plate tracking data fuels privacy concerns

Published

9 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

Georgia cops’ alleged misuse of Flock license plate tracking data fuels privacy concerns

Georgia Flock cameras spark widespread misuse fears

ATLANTA – At least ten police officers across Georgia have been arrested and charged with misusing the Flock camera database for personal reasons, adding to growing privacy concerns about the technology.

The cameras, usually mounted to a black pole, record license plates and other data of whoever passes them.

Georgia police database tracking

What we know:

A series of recent arrests has exposed the misuse of Flock license-plate-reading cameras by police officers throughout the state.

In Greene County, Deputy Quin’sha Goss was fired on Tuesday and charged with misusing the system.

The recent arrests include five police officers in Albany, who were also charged earlier this week.

That’s alongside a lieutenant, a sergeant and a deputy in Cherokee County charged last month with violating their oath.

System audits flag searches

What they’re saying:

Flock Co-founder Paige Todd stated that many recent arrests resulted from departments utilizing a new audit assistance tool that automatically flags unusual searches.

“In this case where misuse happened, the technology itself was not creating the misuse. It was it was human beings,” Todd told FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo.

Todd argued that the public safety benefits of the technology heavily outweigh individual instances of human misconduct.

Todd explained, “best way to prevent misuse is now, every member of law enforcement out there knows that this audit exists,”

Todd added that the system has successfully helped track down thousands of individuals across the country.

“We, I believe, solve about a million crimes with our technology,” she said. “10,000 missing people have gone home because of it. This feels like pretty small in comparison.”

Privacy concerns trigger pushback

The other side:

The ACLU of Georgia called the incidents a critical wakeup call regarding constitutional protections and tracking limits. Christopher Bruce of the ACLU of Georgia said, “Jeopardizing your civil rights and civil liberties is never just an unfortunate event. You have constitutional rights, especially a right to privacy. And the question is who polices the police?”

Information security analyst Peter Tran noted that the network relies heavily on automated data collection.

“It uses AI,” Tran said.

Tran said many are uneased by the logging searchable personal data into a nationwide database.

“It becomes a privacy and security issue. So, you’re whereabouts where you shopped, your name, your address,” he said.

SEE ALSO: Dunwoody sets ‘guardrails’ for Flock surveillance cameras use

The blowback has prompted dozens of U.S. communities to end their contracts.

Videos have circulated on social media instructing people how to tear them down or disable them.

In Barrow County, the sheriff said three Flock cameras were recently damaged there.

The sheriff said damage to the devices could be considered a felony.

The Source: The information in this story is based on original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo, who interviewed Flock co-founder Paige Todd, ACLU of Georgia representative Christopher Bruce, and security analyst Peter Tran, as well as tracking data from local sheriff offices.

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Georgia

West Nile infections starting to raise concerns in Georgia

Published

20 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

West Nile infections starting to raise concerns in Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. — Positive mosquito samples for West Nile virus have been found in Fulton County, according to the Board of Health.

Officials say the samples came from the Grant Park area and that infected mosquitoes are suspected to be present in the city of Atlanta.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report this year’s West Nile infections are the highest since 2004. The disease has been transmitted by mosquitoes, with reported cases in 23 states. Most of the reported cases are considered severe.

Health officials suggest using an insect repellent registered with the EPA. Wearing long, loose-fitting clothing is also recommended.

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Georgia

Travel and Leisure listed unique experiences in each state, including GA

Published

1 day ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

Travel and Leisure listed unique experiences in each state, including GA

It can be hard to find a truly unique experience for your next vacation. That’s where Travel + Leisure comes in.

Back in May, members of the publication’s team created a list in celebration of America’s 250th Fourth of July, highlighting a unique experience in each state “from hidden gems to iconic highlights and editor-approved favorites.”

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Most unique experience in Georgia

The Georgia spot highlighted was the World of Quercus. Here’s what writer Lydia Mansel said about it:

“The 3,800-acre property, dotted with pecan groves and cabins, isn’t your run-of-the-mill retreat. Guests are encouraged to roam the land by golf cart or on foot, visit the biodynamic vegetable garden, fish the Flint River, and connect with the ranch’s horses. Owned by Chiara Visconti di Modrone and her husband Angelos Pervanas, Quercus is a place where relaxation comes in many forms—and you can design your experience to fit your pace and preferences.”