Georgia Appeals Court Rules Fulton County Can Reject GOP Election Board Picks

Ruling could impact how election boards are appointed across the state

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:18am

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A Georgia appeals court has ruled that Fulton County, the state's largest county, does not have to appoint two Republican nominees to its election board. The court found that while the county must choose board members from nominees provided by the Republican Party, the county commissioners have the freedom to reject names and ask for new choices. This decision could allow county commissions across Georgia to broadly reject political party nominees they disagree with, impacting the makeup of election boards.

Why it matters

This ruling is significant as it gives county commissions more discretion in appointing election board members, potentially allowing them to reject nominees from political parties they disagree with. This could impact the partisan balance of election boards, especially in politically divided areas of the state.

The details

The Georgia Court of Appeals ruled that Fulton County commissioners can reject Republican nominees Julie Adams and Jason Frazier to the county election board, despite a previous court order requiring the commissioners to approve them. The commissioners had voted to reject the GOP nominees, saying their actions made them unsuitable to serve. The Republican Party sued, but the appeals court found the commissioners were acting within their authority to decline the party's choices.

  • The Fulton County Commission voted to reject the Republican nominees in 2025.
  • The Georgia Court of Appeals issued its ruling on March 21, 2026.

The players

Fulton County Commission

The governing body of Fulton County, Georgia, which includes a Democratic majority.

Julie Adams

A Republican nominee to the Fulton County election board who has served on the board since 2024 and has challenged the certification of election results.

Jason Frazier

A Republican nominee to the Fulton County election board who has formally challenged the eligibility of thousands of Fulton County voters.

Dana Barrett

A Fulton County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for Georgia Secretary of State, who cited her vote against seating Adams and Frazier in her campaign.

Georgia Court of Appeals

The state appellate court that issued the ruling allowing Fulton County to reject the Republican nominees to the election board.

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What they’re saying

“If this holds, the Dems on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners can essentially pick their Dem Board of Elections Members, The Chair AND THE REPUBLICANS!!!!!!!!”

— Jason Frazier

“The contempt charges, the fines, the threats of jail time — all overturned by today's ruling. This is a huge win for Georgia voters and a win for free, fair, and secure elections.”

— Dana Barrett, Fulton County Commissioner

What’s next

The Georgia Republican Party may appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, but the court is not required to take up the case.

The takeaway

This ruling gives county commissions across Georgia more discretion in appointing election board members, potentially allowing them to reject nominees from political parties they disagree with. This could impact the partisan balance of election boards, especially in politically divided areas of the state, and raises concerns about partisan influence over the administration of elections.