Georgia State Election Board Meeting Challenge

Lawsuit filed by American Oversight and an anonymous individual against the Georgia State Election Board (SEB) and five of its members challenging the legality of a meeting the board held on July 12, 2024 to adopt new statewide election rules. The plaintiffs allege that three members of the board scheduled the July 12 meeting knowing two members would be unavailable and without providing notice to the public so they could pass new, controversial election policies. At this meeting, the board adopted new rules allowing for a significant increase in partisan poll watchers who could observe ballot counting and requiring local election officials to post the daily vote count in every election. The plaintiffs argue this meeting violated a state law that requires public transparency and advanced notice in state government proceedings. They ask the court to declare the new election rules invalid, block the state election board from implementing them and fine the members who held the meeting for violating the law.

The plaintiffs filed their complaint on July 18, 2024.

On July 30, 2024, the SEB voted to withdraw the rules passed at the July 12 meeting. The rules were later approved during a legal SEB meeting.

RESULT: On Sept. 30, 2024, a judge dismissed the remaining claim seeking civil fines against the three members for conducting the illegal meeting.

Last updated: October 2, 2024 4:46 pm EST