Peach Tree Times

Today, Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta), Chairwoman of the Senate Standing Committee on Urban Affairs, expressed approval of a recent decision by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney. The judge's ruling halted the State Election Board's requirement for hand-counting ballots, describing it as "too much, too late," while the court continues to deliberate on the issue.

Earlier this month, on October 1, Sen. James and her Democratic colleagues convened a meeting of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs to discuss election infrastructure. The session specifically addressed concerns regarding the Election Board's hand-count mandate, with input from Georgia voters and experts.

Sen. Donzella James stated, "This court ruling is an important first step toward eliminating an unfunded mandate that would gravely inconvenience Georgia voters, overburden our state’s poll workers, and add an unnecessary expense while we continue to prioritize balancing our state’s budget." She further emphasized that their committee's efforts were pivotal in highlighting issues with the last-minute requirement and that public discussions contributed significantly to the court's decision.

Further details about the ongoing court case are available.

Sen. Donzella James represents Georgia's 35th Senate District, covering parts of Douglas and Fulton counties. She can be contacted at 404.463.1379 or via email at donzella.james@senate.ga.gov for more information.

For media inquiries, please contact SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.