In a move that could shift the financial burden of challenging voter eligibility, the Cobb County Board of Elections is considering charging those who file such challenges with associated costs. A report from FOX 5 Atlanta details a hearing set for August 3, 2024 to discuss this policy, which also aims to streamline the process by focusing only on challenges against voters labeled as 'active'.
Eugene Williams, a Cobb resident, recently challenged the registration of 2,472 voters, but only 107 are listed as active. According to AJC, the remaining voters are on a path to have their registrations canceled due to inactivity or relocation. This policy could reduce strain on election staff by dismissing a substantial number of challenges for voters whose eligibility is already under review.
The Board of Elections finds itself divided on the issue. Debbie Fisher, a Republican member, opposes charging individuals who bring forth these challenges, stating that she believes the responsibility of maintaining accurate voter rolls lies with the board, not citizen interveners, as reported by AJC. In contrast, Democratic board member Stacy Efrat supports the measure, citing similar practices in Fulton County.
Amidst this discussion, the cost of sending out mail notifications for eligibility hearings has been brought to the table. The recent surge in voter eligibility challenges follows the passage of a new state legislature law. Elections Director Tate Fall mentioned the costs involved in notifying all 2,472 voters challenged by Williams. Attorney Daniel White indicated that Georgia law does not prohibit boards from imposing these costs on challengers. Both FOX 5 Atlanta and AJC reported on this new development.
As the county grapples with its policy decision, it faces a backdrop of over 350,000 challenges filed since 2020—most of which were dismissed after verifying eligible voters. This indicates that while some voter records may slip through the cracks, the proposed policy reacts to the board's current overwhelming volume of challenges. However, some view these mass challenges as a civic effort to ensure clean voter rolls, without any intent of wrongdoing, as articulated by Fisher in her comments to AJC.
