Two civic groups are pressing Fulton County commissioners to stop resisting a court order and fill open seats on the county’s election board.
On Thursday, Democracy Defense Project – Georgia and RightCount Georgia issued a joint statement saying commissioners should comply with Judge David Emerson’s ruling to appoint two Republicans, Julie Adams and Jason Frazier, to the five-member Fulton County Board of Elections.
The groups didn’t mince words:
“Obeying court orders—even when you disagree with them—is a cornerstone of the Rule of Law and of our Constitutional Republic. “
Why this fight matters
- The law: Georgia requires county election boards to include two Democrats, two Republicans, and a chair chosen by the county commission.
- The standoff: Commissioners voted against appointing Adams and Frazier, despite a court order. Some said they opposed the picks on principle, citing ties to the “Stop the Steal” movement.
- The consequences: Judge Emerson initially tried to fine commissioners $10,000 a day for defying the order, but those penalties are on hold while the county appeals.
Who’s weighing in
- Democracy Defense Project – Georgia is backed by bipartisan heavyweights including former Gov. Nathan Deal (R), former Gov. Roy Barnes (D), former Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R), and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (D). The group says its mission is to defend the transparency and security of Georgia elections.
- RightCount Georgia focuses on civic education and election integrity in underserved communities.
What’s next
The case is now in the appeals process. Until there’s a ruling, commissioners aren’t paying fines ,but they’re still under heavy pressure from civic groups, judges, and voters to resolve the deadlock.
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Before You Dismiss This Article…
We live in a time when information feels overwhelming, but here’s what hasn’t changed: facts exist whether they comfort us or not.
When A&W launched their third-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder in the 1980s, it failed spectacularly. Not because it tasted worse, but because customers thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If basic math can trip us up, imagine how easily we can misread complex news.
The press isn’t against you when it reports something you don’t want to hear. Reporters are thermometers, not the fever itself. They’re telling you what verified sources are saying, not taking sides. Good reporting should challenge you — that’s literally the job.
Next time a story makes you angry, pause. Ask yourself: What evidence backs this up? Am I reacting with my brain or my gut? What would actually change my mind? And most importantly, am I assuming bias just because the story doesn’t match what I hoped to hear.
Smart readers choose verified information over their own comfort zone.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
