Republicans File Motion to Hold Fulton County Commissioners in Contempt Over Election Board Dispute

The clash over the Fulton County Board of Elections has intensified, with Republicans seeking contempt charges against county commissioners who defied a court order to seat two GOP nominees.

On Wednesday, Commissioners Dana Barrett (District 3) and Mo Ivory (District 4), both Democrats, voted against appointing Republicans Julie Adams and Jason Frazier to the board — despite a judge’s ruling earlier this month that ordered the county to do so.

The dispute dates back to May, when the Fulton Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 to reject Adams and Frazier’s nominations. The Fulton County Republican Party sued, arguing that state law requires the commission to seat their nominees. Earlier this month, a state judge agreed and issued a writ of mandamus, ordering the commission to seat Adams and Frazier at its next meeting. The board appealed the ruling, but their request to pause the order was denied.

Instead of complying, Barrett and Ivory doubled down. Barrett even acknowledged her decision in advance, writing in an email to Democracy Docket: “I am a no and will risk contempt charges and fines or jail to defend democracy.”

Wednesday’s meeting ended in a 2–2 deadlock after three commissioners left before the vote, preventing Adams and Frazier from being seated. The Fulton GOP quickly filed an emergency motion for contempt, asking a judge to fine and potentially jail the five commissioners who defied the court order. They also seek up to $1,000 per day in fines, jail sentences of up to 20 days, and reimbursement of their legal fees.

Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon posted on X that a petition for contempt should be filed immediately, urging fines and jail time for what he called “unlawful defiance of a lawful court order.”

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) criticized the commissioners’ actions as “reckless,” saying they undermined trust in government, though he stopped short of endorsing jail time.

Democratic leaders, however, defended the defiance. Fair Fight CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo called it a “red-alert moment for democracy in Georgia,” warning that unelected Republican operatives were trying to force election deniers into positions of power. Barrett and Ivory echoed those concerns in their votes, calling Adams and Frazier “election deniers” whose record shows they aim to undermine confidence in elections.

Adams previously refused to certify Fulton County’s 2024 primary election results and has ties to the Election Integrity Network and Tea Party Patriots. Frazier has filed lawsuits and voter challenges targeting tens of thousands of registrations, actions Democrats describe as attempts at voter suppression.

Republicans counter that the commissioners’ refusal to comply with the court order is itself an attack on the rule of law. In a statement, the Fulton GOP wrote: “When elected officials obstruct the law and openly defy a judge’s lawful order, accountability at this point is essential.”

A Fulton County Superior Court judge will now decide on the Fulton GOP’s contempt motion. Meanwhile, the Board of Commissioners has also filed an appeal to challenge the original judge’s order.