Diagnosing Georgia's Primary Problems

Perhaps, no state better embodies the polarization and partisanship with which we approach election administration than Georgia.

After a messy primary in June with long lines and shuttered polling locations, election officials in the state have been working to improve and restore faith in the process for what is certain to be a contentious election in November. And, in a little over a week, they’ll get another try. On August 11th, more than half of Georgia’s 159 counties will hold runoff elections giving voters and election staff another test run prior to the election. 

Efforts to recruit and train more poll workers are underway and more early voting locations are open in Fulton County, the epicenter of Election Day problems. Situated in metro Atlanta, Fulton County is also the state’s most populous. 45 percent of the population there is African American. It is also heavily Democratic. Hillary Clinton carried the county with almost 70 percent of the vote and 2018 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacy Abrams won it with 72 percent.  

Guests:

Robb Pitts, Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners 

Evan Malbrough, a 2020 graduate of Georgia State University and founder of The Georgia Youth Poll Worker Project

Stephen Fowler, a political reporter, Georgia Public Broadcasting