Fulton County, Georgia, long plagued by issues such as extended wait times, delayed results, and allegations of voter fraud, has reportedly improved its electoral processes significantly. An independent monitoring group concluded that the county, which encompasses much of Atlanta, managed a “well-organized and orderly” election in the previous year. These upgrades followed widespread scrutiny during the 2020 elections when former President Donald Trump and his allies alleged, without credible evidence, voter fraud in Georgia’s largest county had cost him the state.
In response to previous election difficulties, Fulton County undertook a series of comprehensive changes. These entailed transforming the election department’s leadership, constructing a state-of-the-art elections hub and operations center, and implementing advanced management systems. The changes appear to have been successful, as indicated by the monitors, who noted “substantial improvement” in the county’s performance compared to its approach four years prior.
The independent team’s report, which was released publicly on Thursday, praised the county’s efforts, stating, “Fulton County conducted a well-organized and orderly election process,” ensuring voters had the chance to cast ballots safely and conveniently while ensuring accurate vote tabulation. Centralizing the operations into a single hub reportedly enhanced public access, minimized communication errors, and bolstered security. The newly adopted wireless inventory management system since 2020 enhanced the security and tracking of equipment while maintaining robust documentation and secure custody protocols.
The report did, however, make several recommendations for further improvement. These included enhancing public transparency to better inform citizens about the electoral process and ensuring advanced announcements regarding absentee ballot submissions to prevent confusion, as occurred just before the last November election. Additionally, safeguarding voters’ privacy by adjusting voting machines to prevent others from viewing selections was recommended.
The election board in Fulton County is composed of two appointees each from the Republican and Democratic parties, accompanied by a chairperson. Observers noted the board’s meetings sometimes became contentious, suggesting that a more cooperative and collegial approach might better serve the county’s voters.
The findings were presented during an election board meeting, where most members opted to review the report thoroughly before commenting or questioning the findings. This wasn’t the first intervention by monitors; following a problematic 2020 primary, the county was scrutinized during the general election, resulting in findings of disorganized, yet not illegal, processes.
In response to bipartisan calls for oversight, the state embarked on an extensive review of the county’s election operations. This review spanned multiple electoral cycles, including the 2022 midterms, and concluded with the decision not to assume control over the county’s elections, acknowledging marked improvements.
A separate matter involved a 2020 recount that mistakenly included double-scanned ballots. This led to a decision by the state board in May to appoint another monitor for future elections, particularly the 2024 general election. However, disagreements over the chosen monitor delayed progress until the county proceeded with its preferred team.
This team of observers included individuals with previous election monitoring experience, such as Carter Jones and Ryan Germany, alongside others with significant electoral backgrounds. Their collaboration sought to deliver an observation approach that was “impartial, transparent, and process-oriented,” which concluded with praise for the county’s election staff and their capable management of a “smooth, secure, and accurate election.”
