Democrats receive GOP mailers with wrong election date

Election date is actually Jan. 10, not Jan. 17 for vote to replace Bethel.

The Democratic Party of Georgia is investigating whether Republicans were intentionally seeking to suppress votes after mailers advertising the incorrect date of a special Senate election showed up at the home of several North Georgia Democrats.

The fliers advertised a Jan. 17 vote in the contest to replace Republican Charlie Bethel, who was tapped by Gov. Nathan Deal for a judgeship. The problem, though, is that the election will be held Jan. 10.

Michael Jablonski, an attorney for the state party, said it was “absolutely inconceivable” that the mailers were sent by mistake.

“This just doesn’t add up, and Georgia Democrats are investigating sanctions for intentional voter suppression,” he said.

The mailing originated from Joseph Brannan, the GOP chairman of the 2nd Congressional District — a vast southwest Georgia territory on the other side of the state.

He said the fliers, which urged voters to “Send northwest Georgia values to the Georgia state Senate,” were meant to target Republicans likely to cast early ballots.

“Due to my oversight in review, the final mailer included the wrong election date. The error was unintentional, and a new mailer is being issued Wednesday with the correct date to the same distribution list,” Brannon said.

“It is with my sincerest apologies this mailer was distributed with incorrect information.”

Some local Democrats aren’t buying it.

“I’m really dumbfounded by it,” said Cheryl Phipps, the treasurer for the Whitfield County Democratic Party. “Either they are really inept, or they are trying to lead voters astray.

“Because I can’t really see otherwise how they would do this. I just can’t see anyone making a mistake like this.”

Brannon said neither of the candidates nor their campaigns were aware of the mailers.

The runoff pits former Whitfield County GOP Chairman Chuck Payne against Debby Peppers, an ex-county commissioner running without party affiliation who is supported by Democrats.

After the two emerged this month as the leading vote-getters in a crowded race, Democrats hope that Peppers can squeak by in a low-turnout affair.