Shredding allegations turn up pressure on Fulton election agency

Investigations and calls for other investigations quickly followed Fulton County’s announcement that it had fired two election workers who it alleged had shredded about 300 voter registration applications.

The county reported the firings to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and asked that his office investigate the allegations of shredding. Raffensperger then publicly called for the U.S. Justice Department to conduct an investigation. In his announcement, Raffensperger also said his agency was looking into the matter.

Fulton Commission Chairman Robb Pitts “immediately reported” the allegations to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for investigation, according to a county press release.

The allegations will also likely figure into a Republican-backed audit of Fulton that could lead to a takeover of the county’s elections under Senate Bill 202, the voting law GOP lawmakers pushed through the General Assembly earlier this year.

Scrutiny of the county’s Department of Registration and Elections intensified after last year’s primary, when some Fulton voters waited hours to cast their ballots.

Raffensperger has called for removal of the agency’s head, Richard Barron, and the county election board tried to dismiss him, an effort thwarted by the County Commission.

The secretary of state stepped up his criticism following news about the shredding allegations.

“Obviously the State Election Board already has Fulton County under review, and I know they’ll consider this as a very serious infraction because it is,” Raffensperger said. “Everyone in Georgia is sick and tired of Fulton County’s lack of management control. This has been going on since 1993, and enough is enough.” Pitts offered a defense.

“Mr. Barron’s decision to inform the secretary of state’s office, as well as my decision to inform the Fulton County district attorney’s office, about these allegations regarding two now-terminated employees was proactive and transparent,” Pitts said. “Any attempt to portray it otherwise is more spin from desperate politicians seeking to malign Fulton County for political gain.”

Barron said anyone who tries to vote in the Nov. 2 election and is found not to be registered may cast a provisional ballot that will be subject to further review.