Fulton judge dismisses petition that would compel Kemp to investigate State Election Board members

Caption

Judge Ural Glanville hears arguments in a case regarding the State Election Board on Wednesday.

Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News

A Fulton county judge has dismissed a petition Wednesday that would force Gov. Brian Kemp to investigate three members of the State Election Board.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville dismissed the petition filed by state Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes. Her lawyers argued Kemp must hold a hearing to investigate Trump-backed members of the board, Janelle King, Rick Jeffares, and Janice Johnston, who are accused by Islam Parkes and others of ethics violations.

The judge sided with Kemp’s lawyers who argued the governor is not obligated to act since formal charges have not been filed against the SEB members. Islam Parkes filed a complaint against the members, but Glanville said that is not equivalent to a legal charge. 

Petitioners say the fight is not over. 

“We are going to be filing an immediate appeal because we think these board members are operating in a rogue manner that is unethical,” said Wayne Kendall, attorney for the petitioners.

Meanwhile the State Election Board continues to meet as the presidential election nears.

On Tuesday, board members voted to subpoena documents from Fulton County’s 2020 presidential election despite Attorney General Chris Carr saying that election is closed.

Johnston also proposed additional monitors for Fulton even though the county favored a group proposed by former secretary of state attorney Ryan Germany and monitors from the Carter Center.

"The State Election Board will not support that team and will not consider their findings valid when they present them, whenever that may be,” she said. 

The board will meet again before the Election Day, Nov. 5.