Election Denial Fervor Continues in Forsyth

Georgia is a hotbed of people still trying to overturn the 2020 election and laying the foundation to overturn the 2024 election if they don’t get the result they want.  Forsyth County remains on the front line.
A riveting skirmish occurred recently when voters whose registrations were wrongly challenged appeared in person to face their challengers at the July 16 Special Called Meeting of the Forsyth County Board of Voter Registrations and Elections (BRE). All four voters--challenged on the basis of having moved from their address--were having none of it and their unhappiness appeared to rattle their challengers. 

​A college student asked “why” his registration was challenged—he uses a temporary change of address when at university but retains a permanent address at his parents’ home (for voting purposes). Another man explained that his ex-wife wrongly filed a National Change of Address (NCOA). NCOA, thanks to SB189, is insufficient evidence to cancel a voter's registration. A couple that now live in assisted living in Forsyth County but own a home with a homestead exemption in Alabama were very confused and annoyed at having to collect their own evidence to prove it. 

Using proven systems to cast doubt:

Voter challengers use the routine processes of the election system as cover, to deflect from their intent to remove targeted voters from the rolls. Voters who are challenged often presume it is the elections office trying to remove their registration because the elections office—when a question arises about a voter’s status—will notify the voter in writing. The letter invites the voter to remedy the problem by verifying their information or becoming active by voting in the upcoming election or officially canceling their registration if they have moved.

A challenged voter may see the letter as an affront—and become angry or confused or nervous–not realizing that it may be voter challengers attempting to suppress their vote. 

How State Election Board machinations affect Forsyth County:

On Friday, July 12, without the public notice legally required, three election denying GOP appointed members of the State Election Board met, knowing that the Chair and one Democrat were unavailable to meet. Their stated purpose was to hold the meeting quickly after the Tuesday July 9 meeting to complete action on select “rules.” Those rules–if passed–would allow expanding the number of partisan poll watchers on election day and require counties to hand count and post daily tallies of votes at the precinct level. All of these measures are designed to increase pressure on elections offices, poll managers and cripple the ability to certify elections. 
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The GOP members’ stealth meeting highlights their intent to avoid public scrutiny, hoping to impose greater and unwarranted demands on county-level elections that ultimately could delay election results.  While Forsyth County has a dedicated and capable elections staff, they too are already feeling the burden of processing frivolous challenges and far right-generated ill will. 
Call to Action

• Attend the Forsyth County BRE monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month, 9AM, at the BRE office at 1201 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, to show you do not support frivolous voter challenges.