ATLANTA – Today, fourteen voting rights-focused organizations and more than two dozen members of the Georgia General Assembly issued a letter to Chancellor Howard Gillman of the University of California, Irvine to express concern about a planned appearance by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger at a UCI School of Law event titled, “Election Subversion: Is American Democracy in Danger?”. The letter points out that Raffensperger supports election subversion and has threatened to dissolve the Fulton County Board of Elections, which would be an act of election subversion and a violation of the rule of law because he does not have the legal authority to carry out his threat.
Read the full letter below, linked here. Contact information is redacted to protect privacy.
Dear Chancellor Gillman:
It has come to our attention that the University of California, Irvine School of Law plans to host Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger as a speaker for an event entitled, “Election Subversion: Is American Democracy in Danger?” As professors in the State of Georgia and leading voting rights organizations concerned about election subversion in our state, we take exception to this invitation.
Mr. Raffensperger backed many of the provisions of Senate Bill 202, the anti-voter legislation in Georgia that pushed election subversion. The Raffensperger-supported legislation became an election subversion model for other state legislatures seeking powers to take over local elections administration. Following the passage of Senate Bill 202, Raffensperger has cheered the initial subversion steps taken by the State Board of Elections that could result in a state takeover of the Fulton County Board of Elections, the first time a state has taken steps toward subversion. Last week, he threatened the complete removal of Fulton County’s Board of Elections, a move expertscalled “wholly unsupported by law.” His top aide is a member of the review panel prescribed by the election subversion process created under Senate Bill 202.
The list of speakers for this event include some experts on the dangers of election subversion. Mr. Raffensperger, however, is a participant in that subversion. Yes, Chancellor Gillman, American democracy is in danger; and Mr. Raffensperger’s actions may add to this risk. His threat to dissolve the Fulton County Board of Elections raised serious legal concerns; simply put, he lacks the authority to carry out his threat under Georgia Code.
Brad Raffensperger’s actions in support of election subversion represent a “danger to democracy”. His planned participation in this event is inappropriate and his invitation should be rescinded.
Sincerely,
Elected Leaders:
Sen. Tonya Anderson
Sen. Gail Davenport
Sen. Jen Jordan
Sen. Nikki Merritt
Rep. Erick Allen
Rep. Debra Bazemore
Rep. William Boddie
Rep. Roger Bruce
Rep. Rhonda Burnough
Rep. Dewey McClain
Rep. Dr. Jasmine Clark
Rep. Viola Davis
Rep. David Dreyer
Rep. Gloria Frazier
Rep. Carl Gilliard
Rep. Besty Holland
Rep. El-Mahdi Holly
Rep. CaMia Hopson
Rep. Shelly Hutchinson
Rep. Angelika Kausche
Rep. Gregg Kennard
Rep. Donna McLeod
Rep. Sheila Nelson
Rep. Bee Nguyen
Rep. Shea Roberts
Rep. Mary Robichaux
Rep. Kim Schofield
Rep. Renitta Shannon
Rep. Matthew Wilson
Organizations:
Asian American Advocacy Fund
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta
Blue Wave Postcard Movement
End Citizens United / Let America Vote Action Fund
Fair Fight Action
The Frontline
GALEO Impact Fund
Georgia Working Families Party
Indivisible Georgia Coalition
New Georgia Project
People For the American Way
Represent GA Action Network, Inc.
Secure Elections Network
Women Watch Afrika
Cc: Dean Bryant Garth, Vice Dean Christopher Whytock