At a contentious hearing in Clarkesville this week, lawmakers acknowledged what many in the packed room already sensed — the State Election Board is fractured and struggling to carry out its duties.
“We knew there were issues within the SEB,” said State Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia), but he acknowledged they were not aware of how deep the divide was until the Aug. 28 meeting at North Georgia Technical College.
Anderson is vice-chair of the House study committee reviewing Georgia’s election procedures. He brought the hearing to his home county in the heart of Northeast Georgia to give his constituents an opportunity to be heard and to participate in the legislative process.
Deep fractures revealed
The hearing laid bare sharp internal conflicts, allegations of dishonesty, and accusations of partisanship within the board. Testimony ranged from calls to overhaul the SEB’s structure to warnings against hasty reforms. While Republican lawmakers pushed for more authority and stricter rules, Democrats stressed transparency and voter trust, with some questioning whether the board should exist at all.
“We didn’t realize until testimony how deep the fractures run,” Anderson told Now Habersham. “Legislative action may be needed to repair these issues, and our committee will prepare recommendations to improve the processes, effectiveness, transparency, and accuracy of elections in Georgia.”
He added, “We must have elections that promote trust, confidence, and participation.”
The committee is expected to deliver its recommendations to the House Speaker ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
More hearings through October
Thursday’s was the third of six statewide meetings the committee has planned. Previous sessions were held in Atlanta and Rockmart. Future meetings are set for Savannah on September 18, Covington on October 2, and Americus on October 16.
All meetings are open to the public and livestreamed.
