Georgia governor Brian Kemp weighs options on state election board problem

Georgia’s election board has more drama than Kemp would like. Attorney general’s advice isn’t giving him an easy out

As Georgia governor Brian Kemp’s wrestles with what to do with a seemingly wayward state board of elections that is drawing national criticism for last-hour changes to the state’s election practices borne of stop-the-steal election activism, the state attorney general declined to make his job any easier.

Kemp asked Republican attorney general Chris Carr to render a legal opinion about the governor’s legal obligation to hold a hearing and potentially remove board members, in light of two ethics complaints filed against the board since a raucous hearing in July raised questions about the legality of the board’s actions. Three board members – Rick Jeffares, Dr Janice Johnston and Janelle King – have attempted to reopen investigation into the 2020 election, citing a finding of error in Fulton county and the continuation of lawsuits by election denialists.