Fulton County Board of Elections Meeting 12/22/20

Attending:

Mary Carole Cooney, Chairperson 

Vernetta Keith Nuriddin, Vice Chairperson

Mark Wingate

Dr. Kathleen Ruth 

Aaron V. Johnson

Public Comment

Roxie Thomas – asking for an investigation with an independent audit for votes counted with signature match.

Garland Gavorito – spoke about fraud at State Farm and the GBI has a record of covering up crime. 

Adjourned for Executive Session

40,000+ challengers

Voted on:

1. Authorized to send communication for filing qualifications to electors to: Caroline Jeffords, Warren Smith and Steve Sutton – All voted yes
2. Pursue voter challenge – Gabe Sterling to qualification to elector. – Yes: Cooney, Wingate, Ruth and Johnson. No Nuriddin
3. Service of process in New Georgia Project litigation – All voted yes

Protection of Poll workers

• Cooney said that their mission is “Care we serve”. Those who serve deserve our care. Anything malicious toward poll workers is not acceptable.
• Barron reported that Poll Watchers were 
  • aggressive and police had to deescalate twice
  • taking pictures of poll worker’s car tags
  • saying racial slurs
  • sending harassing calls and emails

Workers were uncomfortable with people taking pictures of car tags, trying to identify them. It went too far.

• Cooney suggested that they ask the major political parties assist in assuring that poll watchers are able to work in an atmosphere of own comfort and safety
• Wingate 
  • Received a detailed letter from GOP poll watchers. Encouraged all board member to read their side of the story.
  • Called Fulton GOP and told them:
    • that folks taking pictures of car tags to stop. 
    • Don’t send people with a chip on their shoulder.
    • If they see an irregularity, go to the poll manager. Don’t engage.
    • If poll manager isn’t helpful, then go back to the party.
    • Make sure that people working the polls cooperate with workers and managers.
• Johnson
  • They are going to areas where there is a history of intimidation
  • There is a difference in not knowing the rules and intimidation
• No action was taken by the board

Barron reported that there are now 2 COVID cases in voter registration and 32 infections in the department.

East Point Library reported one poll worker is positive for the virus.

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Did you know that the public can attend Board of Registration and Elections meetings? 

These meetings are open to the public by Georgia law. Georgia Open Meetings Act.

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