State Election Board hears complaints during 90 minute meeting on Cobb Elections’ use of Cupid ‘Home Rule’ map

During a special-called meeting, members of the Georgia Election Board listened to complaints from Cobb residents regarding the use of Chairwoman Lisa Cupid’s ‘home rule‘ map in qualifying candidates for Cobb commission races. Marietta resident Don Barth, Salleigh Grubbs (Cobb Republican Party Chair), and Republican Commissioner Keli Gambrill objected to the use of the map, alleging that the Cobb Elections board violated state law by using the home rule map approved by the county commission’s three Democrats: Cupid, Commissioner Jerica Richardson, and Commissioner Monique Sheffield, during the qualifying week from March 4-8.

Barth, Grubbs, and Gambrill raised concerns that the Cupid map used by Cobb Elections is illegal. John Fervier, chair of the Georgia State Election Board, presided over the meeting, providing an opportunity for those who filed complaints to voice their grievances.

Daniel White, the attorney for the Cobb Board of Elections, objected to the meeting, citing a lack of due process and proper notice. White argued that his client was not provided with any of the complaints filed against them, violating due process. Fervier defended the board’s right to hold the meeting to discuss complaints related to election law. Fervier also told White that the purpose of the meeting was for fact-finding before the board decides whether or not to open an investigation into the content of the complaints. He also told White that he invited him to attend the meeting, just as he had invited Grubbs, but neither were required to be present. 

Despite White’s objections, Grubbs, Gambrill, and Barth were allowed to outline their complaints. Grubbs and Gambrill alleged that the county elections board should have used the commission district map approved by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp.

After questions from the board regarding the legal standing of the maps, Fervier adjourned the meeting without taking further action, while the State Election Board spokesperson announced that no statements or actions would be made at that time.

Ongoing legal proceedings regarding the constitutionality of Cupid’s home rule map are scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court of Georgia in April. Cobb Superior Court Judge Ann Harris ruled on Jan. 8 that the county commission’s attempt to replace the state map with one put forward by the commission’s three Democrats was unconstitutional. Undeterred, Cupid directed County lawyers to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which is scheduled to hear the case on April 17. 

Cobb Citizens Negatively Impacted by Cupid Home Rule Map

Don Barth is a Marietta resident who attempted to qualify to run for the District 2 seat on the County Commission held by Jerica Richardson. Former Marietta City Councilman Reggie Copeland also attempted to qualify. Both were denied qualification when they went to the Cobb Democratic Party to enter the race on the first day of qualifying. Officials informed them they did not live in District 2 under the home rule map, and could not qualify for the race. Meanwhile, Alicia Adams, a Republican candidate who qualified to run for the District 2 seat was disqualified after the Cobb Board of Elections voted 4-1 to remove her name from the May 21 ballot during a recent special-called meeting of the board.