Panel: State shouldn't take over Georgia county's elections

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s most populous county has a history of problems with its elections but has also shown considerable improvement, and the state should not step in to take over its elections, according to a report by a bipartisan review panel.

The State Election Board appointed the three-person panel in August 2021 after Republican lawmakers used a provision of a sweeping election law passed earlier that year to request a review of Fulton County’s handling of elections. The report, obtained by The Associated Press, was submitted on Friday to the board and the Secretary of State’s office.

The report says that in previous years that Fulton County's elections have been plagued by “disorganization and a lack of a sense of urgency in resolving issues.” But it also notes that the county showed “significant improvement” from 2020 to 2022, that old staff members have left and “new staff can bring new energy and renewed commitment."

The Fulton County Board of Elections and Registration is a driving force behind those improvements, the report says.

“Replacing the board would not be helpful and would in fact hinder the ongoing improvements to Fulton County elections,” it says.

State Election Board Chair William Duffey said during a meeting last month that the board will discuss the panel's recommendations at its Feb. 7 meeting. The review panel said in a statement Friday that it looks forward to presenting its report at that time.

Fulton County includes most of the city of Atlanta and is home to about 11% of the state’s electorate. A Democratic stronghold, it has long been targeted by Republicans.

Several Republican lawmakers whose districts include parts of Fulton in July 2021 submitted a letter to the State Election Board noting the county's history of problems and...