Early Voting and Separation of State and Church

UPDATE: The Georgia Election Board met to discuss voter fraud allegations leveled against Democrat-backed group, The New Georgia Project.  Following the meeting in which the organization in question was given until September 26 to provide additional information about their registration tactics in Georgia, GAGOP Minority Engagement Director Leo Smith issued the following statement:

"It's embarrassing to turn on the television and see Democrats wildly attacking the Secretary of State's office for investigating voter registration fraud in Georgia.  With thirteen counties reporting suspicious activity and fraudulent registration applications, Secretary Kemp did exactly what he was elected to do.  His party affiliation and race should not prevent him from doing his job or warrant cries of voter suppression and racism from those under investigation.

"African Americans in Georgia should not blindly buy-in to the rhetoric and grandstanding from Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock and House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams.  The Civil Rights Movement gave people like me the right to vote without fear, not escape the processes of accountability."

SEB Hearing to "Quash" Voter Registration Drive

The Georgia State Election Board will conduct a Special Called Meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 3:00 p.m., at the State Capitol Building, 3rd Floor, Room 341, located at 341 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334. Democrats and others are claiming the New Georgia Project is being prosecuted for merely being successful in registering large numbers of likely Democratic voters, and that the intent of this hearing is to "quash increased voter registration and voter turnout."

Secretary of State Investigating New Georgia Project

           

ATLANTA, GA (PR) - After reports of voter fraud from various counties throughout the state, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp launched an investigation into the activities of New Georgia Project, which was founded by House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. Sec. Kemp sent a subpoena today to the New Georgia Project and its parent organization Third Sector Development demanding that all documents be turned over to the State Election Board's investigators by Tuesday, September 16.

In response to these disturbing accusations, Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Padgett issued the following statements:

"The complaints lodged against Stacey Abrahams and the New Georgia Project are alarming," said Padgett.  "Georgia voters deserve secure, accessible, and fair elections and any attempt to rig the system in favor of one party or one candidate should be punished to the fullest extent of the law."

"We cannot allow groups that mimic the activities of ACORN to compromise the faith that voters have in the democratic process.  The future of this state and the direction of this country should be determined at the ballot box - not manipulated behind closed doors."

ATLANTA, GA (Special Report) - Transporting people directly from a church to the voting poll is a violation of the accepted principle of separation of church and state for a Georgia Senator. The reaction of the legislator came after a decision made to open early voting polls on Sunday at the South Dekalb Mall. The Republican Senator for District 40 at the General Assembly is being accused of “racist” and he his strongly denying it.

Senator Millar Post:

INTERIM DEKALB CEO HONEYMOON OVER

How ironic! Michele Obama comes to town and Chicago politics comes to DeKalb.

For the third time in recent months Governor (Nathan) Deal appointee Interim CEO Lee May has disappointed those of us that hoped he could help bring the county together.

First, he assembles a task force of 15 with no elected Republicans to review various aspects of county government. I called his hand and Representative Jacobs and I were asked to serve on the group. This seems like a good idea since legislation will be required for many changes. Second, he schedules meetings throughout the county with Tucker being the only north location. Again, I called his hand and several north locations were added with little publicity. 

Now we are to have Sunday voting at South DeKalb Mall just prior to the election. Per Jim Galloway of the AJC, this location is dominated by African American shoppers and it is near several large African American mega churches such as New Birth Missionary Baptist. Galloway also points out the Democratic Party thinks this is a wonderful idea – what a surprise. I’m sure Michelle Nunn and Jason Carter are delighted with this blatantly partisan move in DeKalb.

Is it possible church buses will be used to transport people directly to the mall since the poll will open when the mall opens? If this happens, so much for the accepted principle of separation of church and state.

Interim CEO May says this election decision is an administrative matter and he can unilaterally make this decision. I don’t think this is necessarily true and we are investigating if there is any way to stop this action.

This may be another reason to eliminate the CEO position.

I have spoken with Representative Jacobs and we will try to eliminate this election law loophole in January. Galloway summed it up, “Democrats are showing their hand on how they might boost their numbers”. For this to be called a “non-partisan opportunity” by Interim CEO is an insult!

Another first for DeKalb! So much for being inclusive.

Fran Millar

Senator District 40, Georgia State Senate

Reactions

It is not clear if Senator Millar will propose a legislation banning political campaign, political forums, voting in or around churches, also. 

—> Edited by Anibal Ibarra