Georgia Bill Seeks to Strip District Attorneys of Power to Prosecute Election Cases

Proposed legislation would require the state attorney general to convene statewide grand juries for all election-related criminal charges.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A new bill in the Georgia legislature would prevent counties from bringing criminal charges in election cases, requiring the state attorney general to instead convene statewide grand juries for all such prosecutions. The measure is seen as a delayed reaction by Republicans to the 2023 indictment of former President Donald Trump by the Fulton County district attorney's office, which has since been dismissed.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation is viewed as an attempt to centralize the power to prosecute election-related crimes at the state level, potentially making it more difficult for local district attorneys to bring charges in their jurisdictions. This raises concerns about the equitable representation of different regions and political perspectives in such cases.

The details

The bill, supported by Republican state senators including Bill Cowsert, would create a statewide grand jury process overseen by the Georgia attorney general for all election-related criminal cases. This would prevent individual counties from bringing their own charges, as happened in the Trump case in Fulton County. A district attorney from southwest Georgia expressed concerns that this would not reflect the values and perspectives of local jurisdictions.

  • The bill was introduced in the Georgia legislature in February 2026.
  • If passed, the measure would require a two-thirds vote in both the state House and Senate before being put on the November 2026 ballot as a constitutional amendment.

The players

Bill Cowsert

A Republican state senator from Athens, Georgia, who chairs the committee investigating the Fulton County case against Donald Trump.

Joe Mulholland

A district attorney from southwest Georgia who expressed concerns about the proposed legislation during a committee hearing.

Harold Jones II

The Democratic leader in the Georgia state Senate, who voiced concerns about the bill's focus on election cases rather than other types of criminal activity.

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What they’re saying

“Just because the capital is in Atlanta, Fulton County, doesn't seem fair or equitable for the rest of the state of Georgia.”

— Bill Cowsert, State Senator (11alive.com)

“My concern is you're not reflecting the values and perspectives of your particular jurisdiction when you get a statewide grand jury to look at any particular case.”

— Joe Mulholland, District Attorney (11alive.com)

“I could see a statewide grand jury for maybe some kind of gang activity. But for elections – this is very odd. So that became concerning for me.”

— Harold Jones II, State Senate Democratic Leader (11alive.com)

What’s next

If the bill passes the Georgia legislature, it would need to be approved by a two-thirds majority in both the state House and Senate before being put on the November 2026 ballot as a constitutional amendment.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation reflects the ongoing political tensions around election integrity and the balance of power between state and local authorities in prosecuting election-related crimes. The debate highlights the challenges of ensuring fair and impartial administration of elections while also respecting the autonomy of local jurisdictions.