Georgia
A free, public tool identifying and examining the impact of election deniers serving in local offices working on election administration. Learn more about our election threat criteria here.
50 public officials in Georgia have credibly participated in election denial activities.
Just in the state house, they represent 17% of the state’s constituents.
-
30
Georgia House of Reps.Election deniers in the State House risk enacting laws that can undermine fair voting processes and democratic integrity.
-
13
Georgia State SenatorsElection deniers as senators may pass biased laws and endorse appointees that erode electoral integrity and democratic principles.
-
1
Lieutenant GovernorAn election denier as Lieutenant Governor is second in command under the Governor and has the tie-breaking vote in the Senate chamber which may favor legislation that restricts how votes can be cast, counted or controlled.
-
2
County Board of Voter Registrations & ElectionsElection deniers on the County Board of Elections may misuse their election management responsibilities, undermining election integrity and community trust.
-
1
County Election Supervisor & RegistrarAn election denier as a County Election Supervisor would have influence on training poll workers and the reapportionment and location of polling places, which may affect how votes are cast and controlled.
-
3
State Elections BoardElection Board Members who state that they have questions regarding how elections are held ultimately undermine the trust in the election process and the confidence of the public in the election systems.
-
In 2020, President Joe Biden won Georgia by 11,779 votes.
4,999,960 voters cast ballots in Georgia for President.
-
In 2022, Governor Brian Kemp won Georgia by 298,857 votes.
3,949,912 voters cast ballots in Georgia for Governor.
Georgia voter turnout by county
Georgia voter turnout by county
2 pieces of election threat legislation
Georgia election threats have introduced legislation that would make it difficult to vote and would alter election codes. Here are 2 bills you should know about:
-
SB 202
This bill changes modifies absentee voting, authority in election administration and alters the election code.
Supported by 34 Election Threats
-
HB 531
This failed bill would have changed procedures for absentee voting, early voting, and looked to permit individuals to serve as poll officers in counties where they neither live or employed in.
Supported by 27 Election Threats
Election Threats
89% are in favor of anti-democratic legislation
-
Julie Adams
Fulton County Board of Elections
Evidence of Election Denialism
Adams, who is a part of Cleta Mitchell’s Election Integrity Network, has refused to vote to certify the march presidential primary results and is suing the board and the county’s election director asking for the court to find that her duties, such as certification, “are, in fact, discretionary, not ministerial.”
Potential Impact
As part of the Board of Elections, Adams refusal to certify the presidential primary and her lawsuit against the board and the county election director are signs that she poses a threat to the certification process to upcoming elections.
Candidacy
Appointed to position, term ends 6/30/2025Selected Sources
Appointed -
Victor Anderson
State Representative | District 10
Evidence of Election Denialism
Anderson published social media posts questioning the validity of the 2020 election.
Potential Impact
If elected officials spread misinformation on their social media accounts their constituents might assume that that information is legitimate. If their constituents believe that the 2020 election was illegitimate, they might choose to not vote in future elections or even encourage others not to vote. They might also no longer trust the government or the democratic process.
Candidacy
Running for reelection in 2024Ran unopposed in 2022. Got 21,322 votes. -
Carter Barrett
State Representative | District 24
Evidence of Election Denialism
Barrett preemptively called for hand recounts for the 2024 Presidential Election.
Potential Impact
Elected officials calling for a hand recount prior to the election even taking place signals to constituents that they do not have faith in the democratic process, and neither should their constituents. This can have negative consequences like a depressed voter turnout.
Candidacy
Running for reelection in 2024Selected Sources
Ran against Sydney Walker (Democrat) in 2022 and received 67.2% of the votes or 15,593. -
Matt Barton
State Representative | District 5
Evidence of Election Denialism
Barton published a social media post questioning the validity of the 2020 election.
Potential Impact
- If elected officials spread misinformation on their social media accounts their constituents might assume that that information is legitimate. If their constituents believe that the 2020 election was illegitimate, they might choose to not vote in future elections or even encourage others not to vote. They might also no longer trust the government or the democratic process.
- Voted for SB 202 that would make it a felony for friends or neighbors to help a person with a disability to return their mail-in ballot and require drop-boxes to be moved to indoor locations, HB 531 that would make voter ID requirements for absentee voting stricter, and HB 1317 that would limit early voting hours.
Candidacy
Running for reelection in 2024Selected Sources
Ran unopposed and received 17,449 votes. -
Brandon Beach
State Senator | District 21
Evidence of Election Denialism
Denied the validity of the 2020 election. Signed on to a letter to Former U.S. Vice President Pence encouraging him to halt certification of the 2020 presidential election. Facilitated communication between the fake electors and the Trump campaign. Did a tour to promote fraudulent audits in Arizona and supported calls for fraudulent audits in Georgia. Endorsed President Trump declaring he is “Still my president” in a 2021 Facebook post referencing election integrity.
Potential Impact
Cosponsored SB 202 which shortened the window to request mail-in ballots and the window for early voting, requires voters to include ID numbers on both their vote application and completed ballot, prohibits unsolicited mail-in ballot applications, and severely restricts drop box access, makes digital images of paper ballots public records, and facilitates mass challenges of voter qualifications.
Called for the implementation of a photo ID requirement for mail-in voting and changes in ballot-counting procedures.
Candidacy
Running for reelection in 2024Selected Sources
Brandon Beach ran unchallenged as incumbent in the general election. He received 73,600 votes. -
Shaw Blackmon
State Representative | District 146
Evidence of Election Denialism
Blackmon published social media post/s questioning the validity of the 2020 election.
Potential Impact
If elected officials spread misinformation on their social media accounts their constituents might assume that that information is legitimate. If their constituents believe that the 2020 election was illegitimate, they might choose to not vote in future elections or even encourage others not to vote. They might also no longer trust the government or the democratic process.
If GA HB 406 was signed into law, it could create potential bureaucratic hurdles and impact voters’ privacy. SB 202 disenfranchises disabled voters by making it more challenging for them to return their mail-in ballots. Additionally, moving drop box locations to exclusively inside could disenfranchise voters who can’t get to the indoor locations during their business hours. These measures could depress voter turnout. If HB 531 was signed into law, it would depress voter turnout and disproportionately impact BIPOC voters and more specifically Black voters. If HB 270 was signed into law, the absentee ballot mailing period would be reduced. This would potentially disenfranchise voters and depress voter turnout in subsequent elections.
Candidacy
Running for reelection in 2024Selected Sources
Ran against Courtney Driver (Democrat) in 2022 and received 64.1% of the votes or 15,956. -
Josh Bonner
State Representative | District 73
Evidence of Election Denialism
Bonner published a social media post questioning the validity of the 2020 election.
Potential Impact
If elected officials spread misinformation on their social media accounts their constituents might assume that that information is legitimate. If their constituents believe that the 2020 election was illegitimate, they might choose to not vote in future elections or even encourage others not to vote. They might also no longer trust the government or the democratic process.
Voted for SB 202 and that would make it a felony for friends or neighbors to help a person with a disability to return their mail-in ballot, require drop-boxes to be moved to indoor locations and HB 531 which would make voter ID requirements for absentee voting stricter and limit early voting hours.
Candidacy
Running for reelection in 2024Selected Sources
Ran unopposed in 2022 and received 24,239 votes. -
Matt Brass
State Senator | District 28
Evidence of Election Denialism
Published a social media post questioning the validity of the 2020 election.
Potential Impact
If elected officials spread misinformation on their social media accounts their constituents might assume that that information is legitimate. If their constituents believe that the 2020 election was illegitimate, they might choose to not vote in future elections or even encourage others not to vote. They might also no longer trust the government or the democratic process.
Candidacy
Running for GA State Senate District 6 in 2024Selected Sources
Ran unopposed in 2022 and received 67,216 votes. -
James Burchett
State Representative | District 176
Evidence of Election Denialism
Burchett published social media posts questioning the validity of the 2020 election.
In November 2020, wrote a letter to the Secretary of State requesting an audit of signatures on absentee ballot envelopes to ensure that they matched the signature on file with the Secretary of State.
Potential Impact
If elected officials spread misinformation on their social media accounts their constituents might assume that that information is legitimate. If their constituents believe that the 2020 election was illegitimate, they might choose to not vote in future elections or even encourage others not to vote. They might also no longer trust the government or the democratic process.
Elected officials requesting unnecessary audits of the signatures on absentee ballots could reduce public trust in election results and reduce the number of voters requesting absentee ballots.
Voted for SB 202 that would make it a felony for friends or neighbors to help a person with a disability to return their mail-in ballot and HB 531 which would require drop-boxes to be moved to indoor locations, make voter ID requirements for absentee voting stricter and limit early voting hours.
Cosponsored HB494 which would create additional barriers to voting absentee by requiring voters to include photocopies of their photo ID with their application.
Candidacy
Running for reelection in 2024Selected Sources
Ran unopposed in 2022 and received 14,316 votes.