Delay in alleged ballot fraud case continues
News June 22, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga – On June 20, the Fulton County alleged ballot audit case continued with Henry County Superior Court Judge Brian Amero hearing motions to dismiss.
Amero didn’t issue a ruling on Monday citing a need for more time to consider the motions. He needs to decide who is the responsible party for the lawsuit. VoterGa.org and plaintiff Garland Favorito believes it will take Amero a couple of weeks to decide how to move forward.
On January 1, a new law went into effect concerning sovereign immunity, which deals with the question of “who to sue.” The new amendment made it easier to sue individuals and groups in their official capacity.
Fulton County attorneys argued since the alleged incident took place before January 1, the case should be thrown out.
Additionally, the board of elections and the county are both trying to get out of the lawsuit by placing responsibility on the other party’s shoulder. It’s likely if the case moves forward Fulton County will remain in the suit and possibly the board of elections individuals, according to Favorito.
Previously, the judge ordered the unsealing of the ballots in Fulton County but halted the process when the motion to dismiss was filed. The order is still valid. Favorito expects the audit to go forward in August.
The Clerk of Court currently has custody of the ballots and Amero has informed Fulton County Sheriff’s Office that they’re responsible for ballot security. Some Henry County deputies are also involved in security measures. The warehouse is controlled by the Fulton County Board of Elections.
The complaint suit was adjusted by the plaintiffs to address the management of future elections.
Georgia election officials have continually denied any massive fraud in the state. Three separate recounts were conducted. The Secretary of State’s Office is in the middle of investigating over 100 election fraud cases.
Favorito addresses the hurdles leading up to the ballot audit
News, Politics May 24, 2021
ELLIJAY, Ga – November 2020 election integrity lawsuit plaintiff Garland Favorito labeled the obstacles facing the ballot audit a “battle between establishment and grassroots” Republicans.
On Friday, Henry County Superior Court Judge Brian Amero granted the motion to unseal ballots in Fulton County.
The ballots will be scanned to produce 600 dpi dots per inch) high-resolution images for a forensic audit. However, only the court and Fulton County employees will be allowed to handle the ballots.
Henry County Superior Court on Friday, May 21, 2020.
Petitioners and Respondents council along with the court will convene on Friday at the ballot’s location to discuss further protocols.
Following the order, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger released a statement:
“From day one I have encouraged Georgians with concerns about the election in their counties to pursue those claims through legal avenues. Fulton County has a long standing history of election mismanagement that has understandably weakened voters’ faith in its system. Allowing this audit provides another layer of transparency and citizen engagement.”
Favorito remarked the statement was “carefully crafted as not to lie” when read the statement. He asked if Raffensperger was in favor of election transparency then why did his office file an amicus brief against their lawsuit through the Attorney General.
He added that the Secretary of State has issued more “roadblocks” than Fulton County itself. He stated that Raffensperger is “adamantly opposed to election transparency in the state.”
The Secretary of State’s Office has conducted three recounts of the November Election, including a hand recount.
All three came back confirming the election results. During the almost daily press briefings following the November election, Gabriel Sterling, Secretary of State Election Official, tried to quell claims of widespread voter fraud and asked individual voters to report and suspected issues to their office.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger
Earlier in the year, the state board of election aced on more than 300 cases of voter fraud, several were referred to the Attorney General for prosecution.
Raffensperger’s also voiced support of Georgia voter reform efforts, claiming it would not result in voter suppression. He added on Twitter that he’s always encouraged voters to use legal channels when pursuing election disputes in their counties.