ATLANTA — Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said he opened an investigation almost immediately after he got word two Fulton County elections workers may have illegally shredded 300 voter registration applications and that his office plans to find out what happened regarding those shredding allegations.
Fulton County elections director Richard Barron confirmed they fired the two elections workers just hours after they were made aware of them.
“We reported this to the Secretary of State’s Office and requested an investigation,” Barron said.
Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts said in a statement that shows their commitment to transparency.
“Mr. Barron’s decision to inform the Secretary of State’s Office, as well as my decision to inform the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, about these allegations was proactive and transparent.
“Any attempt to portray it as otherwise is more spin from desperate politicians seeking to malign Fulton County for political gain.”
“They understand they are under a microscope now,” Raffensperger said.
The Secretary of State was highly critical of the allegations and believes they demonstrate poor management of Fulton County elections.
“It’s just another item that goes in that basket of, you know, poorly run elections, poorly managed oversight and lack of training,” Raffensperger said.
Tuesday was the first day of early voting for the Nov. 2 election.
Elliot visited two polling places, and by all accounts, things have gone off without a hitch. Voter Ellis Manns told Elliot that he wanted to get out early to vote.
“I don’t like coming out. Since I had to be out, I was taking advantage of getting it done,” Manns said.
Fulton County’s elections remain under review by the state elections board.
Under new Georgia law, that board has the legal authority to remove Fulton’s board if it finds continuing problems running elections.
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