ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia’s Supreme Court sounded doubtful Wednesday that county commissioners must rubber-stamp political party nominees to local election boards, a case that could set statewide rules for how those appointments work.
Justices heard arguments over whether a county board of commissioners can refuse nominees put forward by a party under statutes that say two members shall be appointed from each party’s nominations. A state Court of Appeals panel had already held that commissioners have room to say no, not a duty to say yes.
Chief Justice Peterson told the county’s lawyer the county’s reading of the law looked stronger. Other justices pressed what limits, if any, apply if commissioners reject an entire slate, and how far discretion can go without undercutting the General Assembly’s push for bipartisan boards.
The dispute centers on two Republican nominees previously turned down by commissioners. One has filed thousands of voter-eligibility challenges; the other sat out certifying primary results in 2024 and later sued over certification. A trial court had ordered the appointments and later set a daily fine of $10,000; the appeals court reversed.
Party lawyers argued the appointment language leaves no room for rejection. County lawyers said the constitution does not create a right to force an appointment and that commissioners may refuse nominees they find unfit.
A ruling for broad discretion would guide all Georgia counties that use party nominations for election boards. A ruling the other way would tighten the path for commissioners who try to block nominees. The court did not announce a decision Wednesday.
