
The Georgia Republican Party has announced a lawsuit against Fulton County, claiming the county is breaking state election law by allowing certain voter centers to accept absentee ballots over the weekend after early voting has officially ended. The GOP argues that keeping these centers open effectively serves as an extension of the early voting period, which the party says is unlawful.
According to the Georgia GOP, the law requires ballot drop boxes to close when the early voting period concludes. In their statement, the GOP referenced Georgia Code Section 21-5-385, which stipulates, “all drop boxes shall be closed when the advance voting period ends.” The GOP added, “Fulton County’s patently illegal acts give us no choice but to immediately file suit.”
Fulton County hired 15 Republican poll workers and 789 Democrat poll workers.
Fulton County established four special ballot drop boxes to receive absentee ballots after the deadline.
Fulton County ordered staff to not allow observers into the buildings to monitor these drop… https://t.co/IkME1qCUdB pic.twitter.com/gpDjLJYEVq
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) November 2, 2024
Georgia law specifies that the early voting period ends the Friday before an election. While voters are permitted to submit absentee ballots before Election Day, the GOP contends that Fulton County’s weekend operations essentially turn these voter centers into unauthorized drop boxes, potentially undermining election integrity.
Fulton County officials reportedly stated that these additional hours were introduced to “accommodate voters seeking to hand-return their absentee ballots.” However, the GOP argues that such accommodations are a clear violation of state law and that they disproportionately impact Democratic-heavy areas, where the voter centers in question are located.
BREAKING!🚨 The Georgia Republican Party warns of a last minute plan by Fulton County to ILLEGALLY accept absentee ballots in the final hour!
According to Fulton County’s press release they will be accepting absentee ballots Saturday and Sunday at four locations beginning at… pic.twitter.com/v89GAkdXon
— True the Vote (@TrueTheVote) November 2, 2024
The Georgia GOP’s complaint suggests that local officials are selectively interpreting election rules to extend voting access beyond legal limits. “This must be stopped immediately, and those willfully breaking Georgia law should be held accountable,” the statement added.
The lawsuit underscores an ongoing debate in Georgia over the use of absentee ballots and drop boxes. With this legal challenge, the GOP aims to hold Fulton County accountable for what it alleges is a direct violation of state election rules.
GEORGIA-
Fulton County is missing all of their in-person voting images.
They are also missing 17,690 mail-in ballot images.
That exceeds the margin in GA. pic.twitter.com/AB8C6l85sI
— suzy (@Suzy_1776) November 9, 2021