Elections board decides not to close all but 2 polling places in a majority-black county in Georgia
Source: CNN
A Georgia board of elections voted down a plan to close seven of a majority-black county's nine polling places ahead of November's midterm elections. The meeting where the vote took place lasted less than 60 seconds.
Critics had said the plan to consolidate polling places in Randolph County, Georgia, was a clear effort to suppress the black vote in Georgia's governor race, which pits former Georgia House minority leader Stacey Abrams, who is black, against Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is white.
[Original story, published at 8:11 a.m. ET]
A rural Georgia county's Board of Elections is scheduled to vote Friday on a controversial proposal to close seven of the majority-black county's nine polling places ahead of the November midterm election. The vote comes amid widespread national criticism and days after the county terminated its contract with the proposal's architect.
Critics have called the plan to consolidate polling places in Randolph County a brazen attempt to suppress the black vote in Georgia's governor's race, one of the marquee contests of 2018 season. The race pits former Georgia House minority leader Stacey Abrams, who is black, against Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who is white.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/24/us/randolph-county-polling-closures-vote/index.html
Pressure was put on and the shaming succeeded.
nycbos
(6,039 posts)My thoughts exactly.
appalachiablue
(41,182 posts)Bravo!
Bengus81
(6,936 posts)And gerrymandering..........
MGKrebs
(8,138 posts)who recommended this action. It was likely never going to pass, but that consultant- who has donated to the GOP governor candidate (who is the current SoS!)- should not be hired as a voting consultant.
Even worse, the county asked the SoS for guidance on the issue and got a nasty letter in reply.
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So that's the SoS trying to distance himself from the matter.
The SoS office is basically working for the GOP Gov campaign.
BumRushDaShow
(129,662 posts)but obviously whoever hired him was asleep at the wheel.
MGKrebs
(8,138 posts)Scott Peavy, contacted Kemps (Ga GOP SoS) office to seek names of certified elections officials on short notice before the May primary election. Georgia Elections Director Chris Harvey provided three names, including Malones."
https://politics.myajc.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/elections-consultant-fired-over-proposal-close-georgia-precincts/Hr6FBBXRJo6fVFixRur1mO/
So the county asked for guidance, got a political hack has a recommendation, then asked for more help to straighten things out, and got a 'tough shit' letter in response.
Disgusting.
BumRushDaShow
(129,662 posts)lark
(23,166 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,662 posts)and only leave 2. Now all 9 will remain open (hopefully).
Iggo
(47,576 posts)Fuckers.
BumRushDaShow
(129,662 posts)figure it's summer and people are "on vacation" and wouldn't notice.
Have to thank the ACLU!
LisaM
(27,843 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,662 posts)and if that election board are actually elected positions and are up this year, then they need to be replaced!