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Residents press Jasper County commissioners over Election Board minutes and alleged partisan remark
Summary
During public comment at the Sept. 8 meeting, residents alleged missing recordings and partisan conduct on the Jasper County Board of Elections; Elections staff responded that the board adheres to Georgia election law and state oversight.
Residents raised concerns about the Jasper County Board of Elections during the Sept. 8 public-comment period, urging the Board of Commissioners to review minutes and missing recordings and to enforce bylaws.
James Belcher said he requested recordings and minutes from the June 24 and July 21 Election Board meetings and was told recordings did not exist for those meetings. He also told commissioners that Section 3.3 of the Election Board bylaws prohibits partisan actions by board members and argued that a derogatory remark he described constituted partisan conduct that could be cause for removal under Section 4.1.
"I requested the minutes and the recordings from the June 24th and July 21st Election Board meetings. I was informed that there were no recordings of either meeting," Belcher said during public comment.
Guy Tucker, speaking for the Board of Elections and Registration and the newly formed Elections department, said the board and department have worked to learn Georgia election law and procedures, and that they follow the annual state election schedule and the Georgia election code book. Tucker urged that the board's duties are tightly governed by state rules and oversight from the Georgia Secretary of State and other entities.
"They are required to follow two documents: the annual state election schedule and the Georgia election code book," Tucker said, describing the legal constraints on local election boards.
Other speakers offered contrasting views: Mary Patrick defended current appointments and said adherence to the law, not political affiliation, should guide trust in the board. Danny Barron attempted to cede his time to Belcher but was not allowed; Jason Bunn told the commissioners he appreciated staff responses to prior comments and urged the board to seek budget efficiencies where possible.
Commissioners did not take formal action on the Election Board complaints at the meeting; County staff and the Elections office described existing state-level oversight and said written minutes and internal processes are maintained. The BOC did not announce a separate investigation or hearing on the allegations during the Sept. 8 session.
