By Washington Examiner Staff. Media: Washingtonexaminer
The Republican Party announced a lawsuit on Saturday in Georgia over Fulton County accepting absentee ballots over the weekend.
“Democrat officials in Georgia are playing fast and loose with election law,” Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said. While a judge soon after ruled against the GOP, Republicans plan to appeal that decision, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Republicans are also investigating election matters in other counties they allege violate state law.
“Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties decided at the last minute to accept ballots over the weekend — which disregards the law,” Whatley wrote. “They have also failed to let our poll observers in to watch the process. The Secretary of State has issued guidance to allow Republican poll watchers in but local officials REFUSE. Our election integrity operation has filed a lawsuit. Georgia voters demand that the state and courts ensure that these reckless counties administer fair, transparent, and secure elections. Anything less undermines public trust.”
The news comes just days ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. RNC Co-Chairwoman Lara Trump added that their legal operation is “handling” the issues throughout Saturday. “Stay vigilant and VOTE!” Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law said.
Whatley added in a follow-up statement on Saturday that Republican poll watchers were “let into the building in all four Georgia counties.”
“Our lawsuit over the offices remaining open is still pending, but we have eyes in the room as votes are being counted,” Whatley said. “We will continue our aggressive efforts to enforce Georgia law and protect the vote.”
On Friday, the Georgia GOP released a statement calling it a “blatant violation” for Fulton County election officials to open four election offices over the weekend. GOP’s lawsuit in Fulton County was tossed out
“This must be stopped immediately and those willfully breaking Georgia law should be held accountable,” the Georgia GOP said. “To make matters worse, the four election office locations are situated in areas of the county that will clearly favor Democrat candidates. We are calling on state officials to take immediate action to stop this and maintain confidence in Georgia’s election integrity. Fulton County’s patently illegal acts give us no choice but to immediately file suit.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Georgia GOP for more details. On Saturday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said state law permits election officials to receive absentee ballots in person at government facilities if the county chooses.
“Several counties have chosen to do this,” Raffensperger. “We are working with the counties and the political parties to ensure this is done transparently and within Georgia law.”
In the 2020 election, the deep-blue Fulton County swung for President Joe Biden, who secured over 72% of the vote there.
This week, Fulton County, along with other counties, announced that it planned to keep election offices open over the weekend so voters could turn in absentee ballots in-person. Voters also were permitted to use drop boxes to turn in their ballots without human contact.
In 2020, Trump lost to Biden in Georgia by just around 12,000 votes; Georgia is again a key battleground state in 2024.
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