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

Decision could impact how elections are administered in predominantly Democratic areas of the state.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:18am

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A Georgia appeals court ruled that Fulton County, the state's largest county, does not have to appoint two Republican nominees to the county election board. The court found that while the county must appoint election board members from nominees provided by the Republican Party, the county commissioners have the discretion to reject names and ask for other choices.

Why it matters

This ruling could allow Democratic-led county commissions across Georgia to reject Republican activists who have challenged how elections are conducted in Democratic areas of the state. However, it could also diminish Democrats' ability to be represented on election boards in Republican-led counties.

The details

The Fulton County Commission, with a Democratic majority, voted last year to reject Republican nominees Julie Adams and Jason Frazier, saying their actions made them unsuitable to serve. The county Republican Party sued, but the appeals court ruled that the commissioners were acting within their authority to decline the party's choices. The solution is for the Republican Party to submit new nominees.

  • The Fulton County Commission voted to reject the Republican nominees in 2025.
  • The county Republican Party sued, and a judge ordered the commissioners to approve the nominees, but that order was stayed pending appeal.
  • The Georgia appeals court issued its ruling on March 20, 2026.

The players

Fulton County Commission

The governing body of Fulton County, Georgia, which includes the city of Atlanta. The commission has 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.

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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

Republicans could appeal the ruling to the Georgia Supreme Court, but the court is not required to take up the case.

The takeaway

This ruling gives county commissions in Georgia more discretion to reject partisan nominees to local election boards, which could impact how elections are administered in both Democratic and Republican-leaning areas of the state.