Georgia Governor Seeks Legal Guidance on Removing Trump-Praised Election Board Members
Photograph by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters ATLANTA
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is seeking legal advice on whether he has the authority to remove three members of the State Election Board who were praised by Donald Trump just months ago. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kemp has requested guidance from the state’s attorney general on his power to oust the members, raising questions about the direction of the board under its current leadership.
“Voting rights groups, Democrats, and even some Republicans have raised alarms about the rightwing majority’s recent votes,” the report noted. The concern centers on recent decisions made by the board members—Janelle King, Rick Jeffares, and Dr. Janice Johnston—who are now facing ethics complaints. These complaints were filed following their approval of changes that require election boards to investigate voting discrepancies before certifying results.
The changes have drawn criticism from various quarters, including Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who has expressed concerns about the potential impact on the integrity of the election process. Georgia state Senator and attorney Jason Esteves echoed these concerns, calling for action: “Don’t be fooled; Republican leaders can fix this.
The three members must be removed.” Esteves emphasized the responsibility of Republican leaders to address the issue and ensure that the election board operates with fairness and integrity. Max Flugrath, communications director for the Georgia election nonprofit Fair Fight, also weighed in, pointing to the legal framework that Kemp can use to act. Quoting the relevant law, Flugrath asked Kemp, “What’s uncertain?”
The law states: “Upon formal charges being filed with the Governor relative to a violation of Code Section 45-10-3 on the part of a member of any such board, commission or authority, the governor or his designated agent shall conduct a hearing for the purpose of receiving evidence relative to the merits of such charges.”
The law further stipulates that the member in question must be given at least 30 days’ notice before the hearing. If the charges are proven true, “the governor shall forthwith remove such member from office, and the vacancy shall be filled as provided by law”, told Fox5atlanta.
As the situation unfolds, pressure is mounting on Kemp to act decisively. Leaders across Georgia are calling on the governor to address the ethics complaints and take steps to ensure the State Election Board is governed in a manner that upholds the principles of fair and transparent elections. Governor Kemp’s decision on this matter could have significant implications for the state’s election process, particularly as the nation watches closely how Georgia manages its electoral system in the run-up to future elections.
