In response to Case No. SEB2023-025, Fulton County and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office have put forward a proposal to establish a monitoring team for the 2024 General Election in Fulton County. The proposed team, intended to ensure compliance with election laws and procedures, is raising concerns due to the involvement of key figures associated with the contentious 2020 election.

Background and Composition of the Monitoring Team

The monitoring team aims to oversee and report on the administration of the 2024 election in Fulton County, ensuring adherence to laws and regulations, and providing recommendations to improve the election process. The team includes:

• Lynn Bailey: Former Richmond County, Georgia Elections Director
• Monica Childers: Senior Election Subject Matter Expert at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
• Ryan Germany: Former General Counsel for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office
• Carter Jones: SEB Appointed Monitor of Fulton County Elections in 2020
• Matt Mashburn: Former Member and Acting Chairman of the State Election Board

Objectives and Scope of Work

The primary goals of the monitoring team are:

1. To provide compliance-oriented monitoring across all aspects of election administration, including ballot security, poll worker training, absentee ballot processing, and post-election certification.
2. To deliver periodic reports outlining findings and recommendations for improving the election process.

The team will focus on observing all election-related activities, reviewing policies and procedures, and ensuring quality assurance mechanisms are in place.

Controversy and Criticisms

Critics argue that the composition of the monitoring team is problematic due to the involvement of individuals linked to the 2020 election disputes. The following members are particularly contentious:

• Ryan Germany: Raffensperger’s general counsel in 2020, played a pivotal role in the election legal battles and is now proposed as a key monitor.
• Matt Mashburn: A former SEB member who has been accused of overstepping by involving the FBI in an election-related complaint, raising questions about his impartiality.
• Monica Childers: Previously worked on the hand count audit for Voting Works. Voting Works’ software, ARLO, was found to have discrepancies, including fraudulent entries that falsely credited at least 4,081 votes to Joe Biden.

These appointments have fueled allegations that the proposed monitoring team could be biased and untrustworthy, potentially undermining the integrity of the monitoring process.

Financials and Implementation

The proposal outlines a budget of $99,600, payable in four monthly installments beginning in August 2024. This fee covers the substantial time commitment required from the monitoring team members, excluding Monica Childers, who has declined compensation for her services.

Conclusion

The establishment of a monitoring team for the 2024 election in Fulton County, while intended to ensure a fair and transparent process, has sparked significant controversy. The involvement of individuals tied to the 2020 election disputes raises questions about the impartiality and integrity of the monitoring efforts. As the debate continues, stakeholders will be closely watching to ensure that the 2024 election is conducted fairly and transparently.

Acceptance

The proposal requires signatures from representatives of the Fulton County Board of Elections and Registration, the State Election Board, the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State, and the Monitoring Team to move forward.