Georgia Election Official Casts Votes in Cases Concerning Counties He Represented
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A Georgia State Election Board official has made headlines for casting votes in cases about counties he previously represented as a lobbyist, according to a stunning revelation from The Federalist.
Under the clear guidance of Georgia’s ethical frameworks, board members are held to a strict standard to sidestep even the faintest hint of bias or impropriety. This standard is enshrined in the Code of Conduct they’ve pledged to uphold.
In addition, state laws mandate that members avoid any government business that might interfere with their roles or influence their decisions.
Yet, Edward Lindsey, a SEB member, was reported to have voted on proceedings involving DeKalb and Cobb Counties, jurisdictions tied to his lobbying activities. Public records link these counties to legal services from a firm where Lindsey is listed as a lobbyist.
When queried about his direct lobbying ties to these governments, Lindsey offered a nuanced reply, suggesting that, due to the autonomy of county election boards—which his firm does not represent—he felt no conflict existed.
Since Lindsey’s appointment in January 2022 by the state’s Republican-majority House of Representatives, his reconfirmation now looms, presenting a critical juncture for such ethical queries to resurface. His prior tenure as Georgia House majority whip might also come under fresh scrutiny.
The Controversy Unfolds
Edward Lindsey isn’t just any lobbyist; his registration status associates him with not only the local governments of DeKalb and Cobb Counties but also with Dentons US LLP, a powerful law and lobbying enterprise.
Financial dealings have come to light, showing that since 2018, DeKalb County has funneled over a million dollars to the firm, with future contracts extending the partnership and the price tag. Meanwhile, Cobb County’s ledger shows a $60,000 transaction to secure Dentons’ services just this past year.
The Instances in Question
Despite these documented affiliations, Lindsey appeared unswayed by the potential conflict of interest and proceeded to participate in decisions on cases presented before the Election Board that concerned these very counties. For instance, a 2023 SEB session addressed allegations of DeKalb County’s mishandling of elections, prompting Lindsey to propose mere instructions over legal referrals for infractions.
“I understand what you guys were going through … It looks like you are fixing the problem. I think it is a technical violation. So we’ll send a letter of instruction to DeKalb County,” Lindsey stated during the debate.
Following suit, the Board endorsed Lindsey’s approach for DeKalb and directed the initial complaints towards the attorney general’s office. This incident, among others, raises pivotal concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the oversight process within Georgia’s Election Board.
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Last month, a probe by The Federalist brought Edward Lindsey, a SEB member, to public attention for voting on a case concerning Cobb County. As both a lobbyist and an official, Lindsey’s dual roles have stirred controversy regarding his decisions on matters related to his clients.
In defense, Lindsey stated, “I recuse myself from matters directly implicating my firm’s clients but don’t step back when the matter involves independent county entities.” He stresses his fairness and attentiveness to each case’s nuances.
Lobbying for Mail-In Voting
Lindsey’s past lobbying for the National Vote at Home Coalition—aiming to advance mail vote systems nationwide—adds another layer to his complex professional involvements. He actively worked towards expanding mail-in voting policies during the 2020 elections, aligning with groups like Rock the Vote and Democracy Fund.
Vote at Home’s Influence and Funding
The National Vote at Home Institute, as disclosed in tax filings, even supported Georgia’s Secretary of State with funds to embrace mail-in voting. Furthermore, Amber McReynolds, CEO of the group, was instrumental in steering Georgia’s voting policy changes, ramping up preparations for the 2020 election season.
Georgia implemented key changes, such as early processing of absentee ballots and an online portal for ballot requests, heavily influenced by Vote at Home’s guidelines.
The Center for Renewing America accused these efforts of being partisan, challenging both the National Vote at Home Institute and CTCL’s practices, though the IRS has yet to confirm an investigation.
Using his platform, Lindsey has been a staunch defender of Georgia’s mail-in voting policies, including defeating a proposal aimed at eliminating no-excuse absentee voting.
DeKalb County’s Mail-In Advocacy
DeKalb County, linked to Lindsey’s lobbying, embraced mail-in voting by securing a substantial grant from CTCL—a move perceived by some as part of a broader strategy to entrench certain voting policies. The county is part of a larger, well-funded effort by progressive nonprofits to reshape election administration.
Lindsey, moreover, has publicly addressed election integrity debates, often opposing prevalent concerns through his commentaries.
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In the dynamic political landscape of Georgia, strategic maneuvering around election financing has sparked intense debate. In response to concerns over private funding influence, Georgia Republicans enacted SB 202 to prohibit such support for local election offices.
Despite the law, DeKalb County officials cleverly navigated through a loophole to secure a grant from the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence. Rather than channeling the funds directly to the election office, the finance department stepped in to secure the grant—a move that Dele Lowman Smith, Chair of the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections, acknowledged as a workaround to the newly imposed restrictions.
New Developments in Election Funding Laws
SB 222, fast-tracked by Georgia Republicans to seal the loophole, was diluted during the legislative process. Initially stringent measures, which would’ve mandated the return of CTCL’s $2 million grant, were softened by committee revisions, causing ripples of contention among election integrity advocates.
The Rippling Effects of Grant Acceptance
Lindsey reassured The Federalist that he played no role in modifying SB 222’s language, which would’ve compelled DeKalb County to return the contentious funds. The county’s grant acceptance has not gone unchallenged, however, with complaints filed by the DeKalb County GOP Chair and RITE, raising concerns about the spirit of SB 202 being sidestepped.
Marci McCarthy voiced her apprehension in an email to key officials, including Secretary Raffensperger, questioning the dismissal of the complaints and the transparency of the investigation process.
Contrary to dismissal claims, Georgia State Election Board Paralegal, Alexandra Hardin, confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing without a concluded report. Yet, with all eyes on these developments, the silence from House Speaker Jon Burns on Lindsey’s pending re-confirmation and the implications for his impartiality as a SEB member raises questions that echo through the corridors of Georgia’s political theater.
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