Coalition demands removal of Georgia election board members

Three members of Georgia’s State Election Board face demands for their removal from the Board. A coalition of elected officials, clergy, and civil rights leaders is calling for the trio to be replaced following allegations that they violated the Code of Ethics and Georgia Open Meetings Act.

The coalition has scheduled a press conference for Monday, August 26, to demand the immediate removal of GOP board members Janice Johnston, Rick Jeffares, and Janelle King.

State Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes filed a formal complaint against them last week with Gov. Brian Kemp. In his complaint, Parkes alleges the trio violated the Code of Ethics and the Georgia Open Meetings Act.

The press conference comes amid concerns about the integrity of Georgia’s elections.

The new rules passed by the Republican majority will impact how elections are run and certified in November.

In a press release, the Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus says one of the “most dangerous rules” is intended to give officials wide discretion to delay certification for any reason or even to refuse to certify, threatening to “throw Georgia’s November elections into chaos across the state.”

“This is in direct conflict with Georgia law, which states in multiple places that local elections officials ‘shall’ certify elections, meaning their duties are mandatory, not discretionary,” the Caucus says.

The press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the State Capitol.