ATLANTA — Governor Brian Kemp’s office says it is evaluating calls from Democrats to remove members of the State Election Board. The board has enacted new rules that critics say will benefit folks who might challenge election results this November.
"Due to uncertainty regarding whether this office has authority to act under Code Section 45-10-4 in response to these complaints, we have sought the Attorney General’s advice regarding the application of the statute," Kemp's office said in a statement.
Republican Donald Trump turned some heads earlier this month when he effusively praised three new election board appointees at an Atlanta rally.
Since then, election board members Janice Johnston, Janelle King and Rick Jeffares have led the board in imposing new rules that make it easier to challenge election results.
That's precisely what Donald Trump wanted to do in Georgia four years ago.
"We need the governor and Republican leadership to step up to be the adults in the room to call out these extremists and tell them what they are doing is wrong," State Rep. Saira Draper (D-Atlanta) told reporters Monday morning.
Around the same time, Kemp released a statement saying he’s seeking a legal opinion to determine whether he has the authority to remove members of the election board if he finds they’ve done something wrong.
Kemp resisted Trump’s effort to challenge Georgia’s election in 2020. However, Republicans have also enacted more restrictive voting laws since 2020, which the board is following, says one backer of the election board.
"In truth, the rules are simply consistent with Georgia law. In fact, Georgia law is even stronger (now)," said Garland Favorito, a backer of the changes enacted by the election board.
In a statement, State Election Board member Janelle King said, "My mission is not to alter the outcomes of past elections but to ensure that every vote is counted accurately and every election is conducted correctly going forward. I take offense at the baseless accusations, the intimidation of those who appointed us, and the outright lies that continue to mislead the public in hopes of garnering votes."
You can watch Monday's full press conference in the video below: