Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for April 24, 2026

James Oglethorpe won reelection to the British Parliament while in America on April 25, 1734.

The Library of Congress was founded on April 24, 1800 and is the largest library in the world today.

On April 26, 1866, the Atlanta Ladies’ Memorial Association held a Confederate memorial observance at Oakland Cemetery for the first time.

In 1874, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation designating April 26th of each year as “Confederate Memorial Day,” choosing the day of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s surrender to Union General William T. Sherman at Durham Station, North Carolina. There is no longer a statutorily-recognized Confederate Memorial Day, but it became custom for Governors to issue a proclamation yearly designating April 26th as Confederate Memorial Day or to make it the Monday or Friday closest to the 26th.

The United States declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898.

On April 26, 1913, 13-year old Mary Phagan was found dead, having been sexually assaulted, in the basement of a pencil factory in Atlanta. Guilt was pinned on the Jewish owner of the factory, Leo Frank. Frank was convicted, but later his sentence was commuted after Governor John Slaton concluded from his own investigation that Frank had been framed. Frank was later hanged by a lynch mob.

Jack Kingston was born on April 24, 1955. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1984 and served four terms and in 1992 was elected to the United States Congress.

“Georgia On My Mind” became the official state song on April 24, 1979, when Governor George Busbee signed legislation designating it.

On April 24, 1980, an attempt to rescue 52 Americans held hostage in Iran failed.

With the Iran Hostage Crisis stretching into its sixth month and all diplomatic appeals to the Iranian government ending in failure, President Jimmy Carter ordered the military mission as a last ditch attempt to save the hostages. During the operation, three of eight helicopters failed, crippling the crucial airborne plans. The mission was then canceled at the staging area in Iran, but during the withdrawal one of the retreating helicopters collided with one of six C-130 transport planes, killing eight service members and injuring five. The next day, a somber Jimmy Carter gave a press conference in which he took full responsibility for the tragedy. The hostages were not released for another 270 days.

IBM introduced the Personal Computer Model 5150 on April 24, 1981, though some authorities date the introduction to April 12. It sported an Intel 8088 processor at 4.77 Mhz, a whopping 16k of RAM, which was expandable to 256k, and a clicky keyboard. The initial price tag was $1565, equivalent to more than $4000 today.

On April 24, 1982, Jane Fonda released her first workout video.

On April 26, 1986, the world’s worst nuclear accident occurred at Chernobyl in the Soviet Union.

Thirty-two people died and dozens more suffered radiation burns in the opening days of the crisis, but only after Swedish authorities reported the fallout did Soviet authorities reluctantly admit that an accident had occurred.

On April 27, Soviet authorities began an evacuation of the 30,000 inhabitants of Pripyat. A cover-up was attempted, but on April 28 Swedish radiation monitoring stations, more than 800 miles to the northwest of Chernobyl, reported radiation levels 40 percent higher than normal. Later that day, the Soviet news agency acknowledged that a major nuclear accident had occurred at Chernobyl.

On April 25, 1996, Georgia Governor Zell Miller signed Senate Bill 519 designating English the official language of Georgia.

On April 26, 2016, Governor Nathan Deal signed legislation designating “the Adoptable Dog” as the Official State Dog of Georgia.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Longtime Georgia Republican activist Brant Frost IV has been indicted, according to the United States Department of Justice.

ATLANTA – Edwin Brant Frost IV, former president of the now-defunct, Newnan, Georgia-based First Liberty Building & Loan LLC (“First Liberty”), was arraigned today on a federal charge of wire fraud for orchestrating a massive, multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme.

“Frost abused the trust of his clients, family, and friends by allegedly soliciting investors with promises of sizable returns, while knowing the money raised would instead be used for his personal expenses and to pay early investors to maintain the illusion of profits,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “With assistance from our law enforcement partners, we will pursue, prosecute, and punish greedy schemers who defraud victims out of their hard-earned savings and retirement accounts.”

“Frost allegedly operated a classic Ponzi scheme—using new investor funds to pay earlier investors while concealing significant financial losses,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.  “Schemes like this exploit trust and can devastate victims’ savings and retirement security. The FBI remains committed to holding accountable those who engage in financial fraud and to protecting the investing public.”

“The defendant in this case was charged today for allegedly orchestrating a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of investors,” said Special Agent in Charge Kyle A. Myles of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Atlanta Region. “The FDIC OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of fraud and other financial crimes, as we seek to protect consumers and preserve the integrity of our Nation’s banking sector.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: From at least 2021 until in or about July 2025, Frost solicited individuals to invest in what was marketed as short-term small business loans (“Bridge Loans”) that would be provided to businesses in need of immediate funding. Frost told investors that their money would be used solely to fund these Bridge Loans. He also promised investors that they would receive rates of return between 8 and 18 percent and that their monthly interest payments would be funded by the repayment of the Bridge Loans. Frost represented that First Liberty would, in turn, be compensated either from loan fees borrowers would pay to obtain the Bridge Loans or through the difference between the interest borrowers paid to First Liberty and the interest First Liberty paid to the investors.

Contrary to these representations, the money First Liberty received from investors was not used solely to fund Bridge Loans. Instead, Frost used new investors’ money to pay returns to previous investors and to fund more than $5 million of personal and sometimes extravagant expenditures, including:

• Over $230,000 to rent a vacation home in Maine

• Over $140,000 to purchase jewelry

• $20,800 for a Patek Philippe watch

• Over $2 million on credit card bills and

• Over $570,000 on political contributions

Frost failed to disclose to investors that several loan borrowers had defaulted on the repayment of their loans, and that, despite having defaulted, Frost had continued to provide Bridge Loan financing to at least one of the defaulted companies. During the scheme, Frost raised at least $140 million from at least 300 investors.

Edwin Brant Frost IV, 68, of Newnan, Georgia, was arraigned today before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand. He was released on bail pending further proceedings.

Members of the public are reminded that the information only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges until he is proven guilty or admits guilt in a court of law.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General with substantial assistance from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Adams is prosecuting the case.

From AP News:

Among those who lost money were a company run by former Georgia GOP Chairman David Shafer; Alabama state Auditor Andrew Sorrell; and a political action committee controlled by the Republican Sorrell. Party activists have said many grassroots Republicans also lost money, while others were lured by ads on shows hosted by conservatives including Erick Erickson, Hugh Hewitt and Charlie Kirk.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office has levied $500,000 civil fines against three people his office says helped solicit money for First Liberty and asked state prosecutors to consider criminal charges against them.

A federal judge appointed a receiver who is also trying to get money back for investors. The receiver had $5.16 million in cash as of March 23, and was trying to recoup money from nearly 30 unpaid loans by First Liberty.

From the AJC:

The charge against Brant Frost IV marks the first criminal action tied to the collapse of the politically connected lender, which federal securities regulators accused of misleading investors while funneling millions through a complex web of loans and investor payouts.

In a brief hearing before Chief Magistrate Judge Justin Anand, Frost pleaded not guilty to a single count of felony wire fraud, which carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years. Frost waived indictment and was charged under what is known as a criminal information.

“Mr. Frost is accepting responsibility and intending to resolve this.” said Nicholas A. Lotito, Frost’s attorney.

First Liberty and Frost were deeply embedded in conservative politics, aggressively marketing the firm to a Republican-leaning audience with faith-based appeals casting its business loans as a part of the conservative “patriot economy.”

In a brief phone interview on Thursday, receiver S. Gregory Hays said he expects to file a quarterly update next week that will show he has been able to recover about $5.3 million for jilted investors to date. In a Jan. 30 report, Hays warned much of the money may never be recovered as he traces roughly 48,000 transactions across 19 bank accounts.

More than $300,000 in charitable or political contributions have been returned, according to court records, but that’s a fraction of nearly $1.4 million in campaign donations tied to the Frost family that The Atlanta Journal-Constitution identified — with most of the money flowing to GOP candidates and causes.

The Georgia Republican Assembly PAC that Frost V led is accused of dozens of violations by the state ethics commission, which alleges the group illegally influenced elections with more than $220,000 in unreported expenditures.

Governor Brian Kemp issued Executive Order # 04.23.26.01, declaring a state of emergency for wildfires. From a press release:

Governor Brian P. Kemp [on Wednesday, April 22, 2026] declared a State of Emergency for 91 Georgia counties in response to the ongoing wildfires in South Georgia. The governor also directed the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and other relevant state agencies to mobilize all necessary resources to assist with active response efforts in the southern region of the state. The State of Emergency, found here, will remain in effect for 30 days, unless otherwise renewed.

“With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the state’s 5-year average and continue to spread,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “My team and I are working closely with Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo and his team, along with federal, state, and local officials, to ensure we are doing everything possible to combat the fires and provide assistance to affected communities. We are praying for the families who have lost their homes in these devastating conditions, as well as for the first responders working around the clock.”

The State of Emergency is in addition to the State Forester’s Burn Ban Order issued earlier today for the same 91 counties. The burn ban will remain in effect for 30 days, unless otherwise extended, and prohibits, among other activities, prescribed burns as well as the burning of yard debris and agricultural material in the affected area.

The State of Emergency allows for the Georgia Department of Defense to mobilize Georgia National Guard troops and resources for response and recovery efforts. Air assets and Guardsmen are being activated and deployed to the affected areas.

Among other provisions, the State of Emergency order also prohibits price gouging.

State Action and Response:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations for the Pineland Road Fire burning in Clinch and Echols Counties and the Highway 82 Wildfire burning in Brantley County. A federal Incident Management Team (IMT) is also being called up to assist with response.

All relevant state agencies are assisting with ongoing response efforts, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is providing three helicopters with fire suppression capabilities; a D6 Dozer and operator for debris removal; two Type 2 Water Engines and four team members; and ten Game Wardens to assist with evacuations, GFC investigations, and clearing burned structures and debris. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) is providing three helicopters to support wildfire response efforts. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is assisting with livestock relocation in impacted areas.

Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Guidance:

For current wildfire information and emergency updates, visit gatrees.org/current-wildfire-information-and-resources/.

A live-time map of the active fires and response can be found here.

GFC will provide ongoing updates via its website and social media accounts. Residents are encouraged to heed directives and information from their local authorities and Emergency Management departments.

Governor Kemp will tour wildfire damage in South Georgia today, according to WALB.

Governor Brian Kemp is traveling to South Georgia Friday, April 24, to survey damage from one of the two out-of-control wildfires, as crews continue working to contain a fast-moving fire that has already destroyed dozens of homes.

The Pineland Road wildfire in Clinch County has burned more than 31,000 acres, national measures show. The wildfire in Brantley County near Highway 82 has burned more than 4,000 acres and is about 15% contained, according to state forestry officials.

Kemp will reportedly be in Brantley County on Friday.

Residents who fled earlier in the week are now trying to assess what’s left behind.

“We were seeing people just immediately trying to get out of their home, bringing their pets, just trying to find a refuge outside of where they were,” Mattie Hutto, a volunteer, said. “But now, we’re starting to see that they’re trying to go back to their homes.”

A who evacuated said many neighbors no longer have anything to return to.

“So many people in the area have completely lost their homes and lost everything they own,” Jonathan Grimes said. “Thankfully, we still do have something to go back home to.”

Forestry officials continue urging people in threatened areas to be ready to leave with little notice.

“Be ready to go at a spur moment. Don’t wait to the last minute,” the GFC’s Blair Joiner said. “We’ve seen this fire Tuesday afternoon. It moved in several different directions very quickly. Be ready to go. That’s our number one priority — life safety.”

Volunteers are also working to help displaced families as firefighters and emergency crews try to get the blaze under control.

Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp and the National Guard are expected to tour the area alongside the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS).

From WRDW:

At 1:30 p.m., [Gov. Kemp] and other emergency officials — including Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo and Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Josh Lamb — will address the public in a news conference.

Governor Brian Kemp issued Executive Order #04.23.26.01, ordering flags at the Georgia State Capitol and state properties to half-staff in honor of the late Congressman David Scott (D) through the day of his interment. From the Savannah Morning News:

Scott served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2003, representing Georgia’s 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties.

He was a longtime member of the House Financial Services Committee and a key voice on issues related to banking, housing, and consumer finance.

Scott also made history as the first Black lawmaker to chair the House Agriculture Committee, a role he held from 2021 to 2023. In that position, he oversaw federal farm policy, nutrition programs, and rural development efforts.

Before his time in Congress, Scott served in the Georgia Senate beginning in 1983 and remained active in state and local leadership for decades.

He was running for a 13th term in Congress at the time of his death.

Governor Kemp is expected to call a Special Election to fill the remainder of Rep. Scott’s term, according to Atlanta News First via WRDW.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will call for a special election to fill the 13th congressional seat left vacant by the passing of David Scott on Wednesday.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, Scott’s name will remain on next month’s Georgia primaries.

“It is too late to change the ballot as early voting starts Monday,” a spokesperson for the office said. “Notices will be sent to absentee ballot voters, and posted inside of early voting locations and Election Day precincts.”

Votes cast for Scott will not count in the May 19, 2026, primary.

With Wednesday’s passing of U.S. Rep. David Scott, Georgia voters now have four open congressional seats to fill with new representatives on Capitol Hill.

Scott, who died at age 80 after almost five decades of public service at the state and national level, had already filed to run for reelection in next month’s May 19 primary.

In his last two reelection bids, Scott bested other Democratic challengers to his seat. But this year, he was set to square off against five more: Everton Blair, Jasmine Clark, Jeffree Monroe Fauntleroy, Emanuel Jones and Jon Lester.

One of those Democrats will emerge next month — or in a likely June runoff — to face Republican Jonathan James Chavez in November.

According to Article I, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution, if a U.S. House member dies in office, the seat becomes vacant, and the state must hold a special election to fill it. In Georgia, the governor issues a writ of election and sets the special election date.

Georgia’s 13th congressional district covers parts of six metro Atlanta counties: Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, DeKalb and Gwinnett.

Three other districts are electing new Capitol Hill representatives this year: coastal Georgia’s 1st district, where incumbent Buddy Carter is running for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination; the 10th district, where incumbent Mike Collins is doing the same; and the 11th district, where U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk is retiring.

Earlier this month, Clay Fuller was elected to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat in northwest Georgia’s 14th congressional district. He is facing several GOP challengers in next month’s primaries.

Effingham County is battling several wildfires, according to the Savannah Morning News.

A Brantley County wildfire spread over 5000 acres, according to the Savannah Morning News.

From WTOC:

Firefighters and other emergency responders from all over Georgia are in Brantley County trying to contain a massive wildfire that’s forcing people out of their homes.

The good news is that these fires are being contained, but the bad news is that the progress won’t come to a head for what will likely be weeks, according to the incoming incident management team.

That team is a part of the group that’s coming to help give added resources to the agencies already gathered in the area. There have been plenty of local agencies we’ve seen out in Brantley County.

WTOC talked with US fish and wildlife ranger Susie Heisey, who’s helping organize their base at the Brantley County Airport. Heisey said that while it’s a process that looks like it will take weeks, crews are containing the fire.

“Firefighters were able to catch their breath last night, we did see good humidity recovery and they were able to get back out there this morning after morning briefing, so we’re looking at the fire being 15% contained and just under 5,000 acres,” said Heisey.

Thirty-four new fires were identified on Wednesday, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Smoke from active wildfires in South Georgia is now being seen and smelled in parts of North Georgia, including metro Atlanta, as shifting winds carry haze across the region.

Weather patterns are driving the change. A southerly wind flow is pushing smoke from South Georgia fires into North Georgia and even into neighboring states.

According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, crews responded to 34 new wildfires burning 75 acres statewide on Wednesday alone.

Officials say ongoing drought conditions and a lack of significant rainfall are keeping wildfire activity elevated.

Lowndes County is enforcing an outdoor burn ban, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

Meghan Barwick, the county’s public information officer, said there is currently no active wildfire threat in Lowndes County, but conditions remain dry and dangerous.

The smoke is affecting air quality, Barwick said, but those conditions change quickly.

“While air quality may appear improved at times today, smoke conditions remain highly variable due to changing wind direction,” she said. “Conditions can shift quickly, and areas that are clear one moment may become smoky within hours.”

Barwick emphasized the burn ban that went into effect Wednesday throughout most of the state south of Atlanta.

“Following Governor Brian Kemp’s State of Emergency, the Georgia Forestry Commission has implemented a total ban on all outdoor burning in Lowndes County for at least the next 30 days,” Barwick said. “This includes all forms of outdoor burning with no exceptions. Yesterday alone, more than a dozen citations were issued for illegal burning. Each of those fires had the potential to become a wildfire under current dry and windy conditions. Citations will continue to be issued. No warnings will be given.”

Muscogee County is also under an outdoor burn ban, according to WTVM.

Muscogee County is now under a mandatory burn ban as Georgia’s extreme drought worsens and wildfire risk rises across the southern half of the state.

Georgia State Forester Johnny Sabo issued the ban Tuesday for 91 counties in the lower half of the state, including Muscogee County. The order prohibits outdoor burning, including prescribed burns and the burning of yard debris and agriculture material.

“We need everyone to take this situation seriously,” said Sabo, who also serves as Georgia Forestry Commission director. “GFC’s wildland firefighters are responding daily to a near-record number of wildfires. It’s critical to remember that just one spark or ember can ignite a life-threatening wildfire.”

The ban is the first mandatory outdoor burning prohibition in the agency’s history. It went into effect upon Sabo’s signature and will remain in effect for 30 days, unless extended.

The burn ban area includes counties below metro Atlanta, running from Harris County in the west to Columbia County in the east and south to the Florida state line.

Fully 98% of Georgia’s total land area is currently in moderate to exceptional drought conditions. The number of wildfires statewide in April has risen above Georgia’s five-year average.

“I want to thank Director Sabo, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia EPD, and all those working to address the impacts of this critical drought,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “Georgia Forestry responders are working hard to battle the wildfires caused by these dry conditions, and I’m encouraging all Georgians to do their part in helping them by adhering to this burn ban.”

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said the extreme drought conditions are putting agriculture and forestry at significant risk.

“I want to strongly encourage all Georgians to do the right thing and adhere to the Georgia Forestry Commission’s burn ban while these conditions persist,” Harper said.

Chance of rain is unlikely for most of the affected area in the coming days. GFC will continue to work with local responders, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Division and other state and local partners to combat wildfires and address the ongoing drought.

More from the Valdosta Daily Times:

A massive wildfire near the Georgia-Florida line has spread to nearly 30,000 acres and remains just 10% contained, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. Crews are working to contain the Pineland Road fire in Clinch and Echols counties, but dry conditions are making it difficult to contain.

Another fire, the Highway 82 fire in Brantley County, west of Brunswick, has forced local evacuations and destroyed at least 54 homes, local officials said Wednesday afternoon. That fire covers nearly 5,000 acres. It was 15% contained as of late Wednesday night, but officials said shifting winds have caused the fire to move and spread, so the containment level continues to fluctuate.

“This thing is a very dynamic situation that’s changing in a matter of moments if the wind kicks in a certain way,” said Brantley County Manager Joey Cason.

Both fires are in areas experiencing exceptional drought, the most severe degree of drought according to the federal drought monitor system.

Local officials are urging residents to be cautious and to heed any warnings, road closures or evacuation orders. Those orders can come at very short notice, and people should be prepared to leave immediately.

“When we announce that mandatory evacuation, we have folks from the sheriff’s department, from our fire department that’s going door to door and asking these folks to leave,” Cason said. “It’s a very serious situation where we have citizens that are in harm. Fortunately, so far, when it’s gotten really hot they’ve left.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved funding for fighting wildfires in Georgia, according to WTVM.

FEMA authorized federal funds to reimburse costs to Georgia to fight the Pineland Road fire in Clinch and Echols counties and the Highway 82 fire burning in Brantley County.

The state of Georgia submitted requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants for both fires on April 21, 2026. At the time of the requests, the fires burned more than 11,085 acres of private land and threatened 1,050 homes, 50 businesses and community infrastructure.

FEMA Region 4 Acting Administrator Rob Ashe approved the state’s requests on April 21 as the fires threatened to become a major disaster.

The grants provide federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for Fire Management Assistance Grants through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters.

Eligible costs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

From WSAV:

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said the situation is affecting farms across the region, as dry conditions and fire threats put crops, livestock and timberland at risk.

“We’re going to see generational losses from this because this is retirement income,” Harper said.

The wildfires come as both the state and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have designated more than 100 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas due to severe drought.

“98% of our state is currently in a drought and has definitely been very difficult, especially in the ag space,” Harper said.

He said the lack of moisture is already creating challenges for farmers, particularly those growing row crops such as peanuts, cotton and corn, as well as those managing livestock.

“It makes it hard, obviously, for seeds to grow, and when you don’t have any water, you’ve got to have that water for that plant to be able to grow,” Harper said. “And the same with livestock pastures that are very dependent upon water for those pastures to be lush and green.”

In Southeast Georgia, timber is also a major concern, with many farmers owning forest land that has been damaged or remains under threat from the fires.

Harper said the financial impact is still being calculated but is expected to be significant.

“…it will definitely probably be in at least a million dollars in impact to our farmers and producers across the state,” he said.

State officials are working with emergency management and other partners as the situation continues to unfold. Harper said the effects could extend beyond rural areas, impacting the broader state economy.

“Every Georgian is impacted by everything that’s going on,” he said. “They might not see it directly… but these impacts definitely have a ripple effect because of the impact of our number one economic engine, which is agriculture.”

In response to the wildfires, Harper also announced an extension of the application deadline for the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program to May 11.

Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper extended the application for Hurricane Helene relief, according to the Moultrie Observer.

Thursday, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced that the deadline for impacted producers to submit applications to the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program has been extended by two weeks to May 11, 2026, at midnight due to the current state of emergency.

“We will always do everything in our power to support Georgia farm families when disaster strikes. In response to the wildfires across Georgia, we are extending the deadline for Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program applications to May 11th at midnight,” Harper said. “We would never put Georgia farmers in a situation where they would be forced to choose between responding to this current natural disaster or submitting their application to get relief from the last.”

The Georgia State Election Board voted to meet with a group petitioning for paper ballots in November, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News.

After Georgia lawmakers failed to act on their self-imposed deadline to overhaul the state’s election machinery, a panel of appointees to the board that regulates elections narrowly voted Wednesday to consider a rule that would require hand-marked paper ballots.

Two years ago, the Legislature passed a law that makes the current voting system illegal starting July 1. The law bans the use of computer-generated codes to tabulate votes. The current system relies on a tailored Quick Response, or QR, code that kiosks print after each voter completes their ballot.

In the two years since they banned QR codes, lawmakers did not authorize an alternative system. Instead, they blamed Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for not finding an affordable option. The Republican pointed back at them, saying it was their job to designate and pay for a new system.

The State Election Board met in a hastily convened online session Wednesday. After debating whether they had the authority to step in, they voted 3-2 to hold a working meeting next week with the Coalition for Good Governance.

That is the group that petitioned for the new rule. The Coalition wants to use the state’s emergency backup balloting system for the general election in November, despite concerns from local election officials that they lack time to implement it at scale.

That system, intended for power outages and computer failures, uses preprinted ballots that voters mark by hand. Scanners then tally their votes using the marks.

The Coalition’s executive director, Marilyn Marks, said at the hearing that such an overhaul would not be “a piece of cake” but would be possible.

She urged the board to ignore the July 1 deadline on QR codes, arguing that the system already violates other federal and state laws for secret and secure balloting.

If the state fails to implement a different system soon, she argued, it will undermine confidence in election integrity and invite lawsuits, making the outcome of elections contested and uncertain.

“With all the attention and with an entire state operating a system that is not in legal compliance, Georgia’s begging for problems,” Marks said.

The election board members were divided on what to do next, with some afraid of overstepping their legal authority.

The chairman, John Fervier, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp, said there was “a more than reasonable chance” that Kemp would call lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special legislative session to solve the problem.

“I think this has been a legislative issue all along. They created this problem,” Fervier said. “They haven’t resolved this problem, and they deserve a right to resolve the problem before we do.”

He voted against the proposal to collaborate with Marks’ group.

But two other Republican appointees, Salleigh Grubbs and vice chair Janice Johnston, were more concerned about the approaching deadline.

Johnston said she supported switching to paper ballots as soon as possible.

Grubbs made a motion to collaborate with Marks’ group next week. The goal would be to refine the language that the board would adopt as a rule that applied to all Georgia election directors. No Republican would second it, and Fervier was about to move on, when Sara Tindall Ghazal, the panel’s sole Democratic appointee, seconded it.

The subsequent voting was by voice, with all members off screen except Grubbs, who could be seen voting yes. Johnston confirmed to Fervier that she had also voted yes, and Fervier said he was voting no.

It was unclear whether the third supporting vote was voiced by Ghazal or by Janelle King, an appointee of the Republican-led state House.

With that vote recorded, up to two members of the board can now help Marks’ group craft a proposed rule.

They are up against a hard deadline. The board would have to hold another special meeting next week for a formal vote to initiate rulemaking to publish a new rule by July 1.

The process takes so long because the board must open any proposed rule for a 30-day public comment period before taking final action. The last scheduled opportunity to approve a new rule before July is the board’s scheduled meeting in June.

To meet that deadline while adhering to the public-review requirement, the board must transmit a petition for rulemaking to the Legislature by May 4.

“It felt like a good, productive step today,” Marks said after the hearing. She said she hoped for a “robust” public discussion on the petition.

Richmond County absentee ballots for the May 19, 2026 Primary Elections will be two pages, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

Because so many candidates and ballot questions are packed into the May 19 primary and nonpartisan election, Richmond County absentee-by-mail ballots will be two pages instead of the customary one.

With that in mind, the county’s Board of Elections office recently reminded voters in an announcement to “look at both sheets of official ballot paper, front and back, to ensure they have reviewed their entire ballot.”

Also, when ballots are mailed back, both sheets must be included “so the entire ballot can be properly counted and tabulated,” according to the office.

Election-day and advance voters will have one-sheet ballots with candidates and questions on the front and back.

The Atlanta Press Club is hosting a number of candidate debates ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary election, according to the Athens Banner Herald.

Early voting in Georgia begins April 27 and runs until May 15. Election day will be held on May 19, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the state.

Starting Sunday, a marathon of midterm debates are being hosted by the Atlanta Press Club, including both state and federal race candidates.

The debates will be livestreamed on the Atlanta Press Club YouTube Debate channel starting on Sunday, April 26.

Here are the debates you can watch live on YouTube:

Sunday, April 26

District 10 Republicans — 9:30 to 10 a.m.
District 10 Democrats — 10:30 to 11 a.m.
District 1 Democrats — 11:45 to 12:45 p.m.
U.S. Senate Republicans — 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Lt. Gov. Republicans — 5 to 6 p.m.
Lt. Gov. Democrats — 6:30 to 7 p.m.

Monday, April 27

District 11 Democrats — 11 to 11:30 a.m.
District 11 Republicans — 12 to 1 p.m.
Governor Democrats — 2 to 3 p.m.
Governor Republicans — 3 to 4 p.m.
District 13 Democrats — 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 28

Attorney General Democrats — 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Attorney General Republicans — 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Secretary of State Republicans — 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Secretary of State Democrats — 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.
PSC District 5 Democrats — 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.
PSC District 5 Republicans — 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.
PSC District 3 Republicans — 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.

Some of the debates will be broadcast on television in the evenings after the debates have already finished.

These debates will be on GPB:

U.S. Senate Republicans — 7 p.m., April 26
Lt. Gov. Republicans — 3 p.m., April 27
Lt. Gov. Democrats — 4 p.m., April 27
Governor Democrats — 7 p.m., April 27
Governor Republicans — 8 p.m., April 27
Attorney General Democrats — 4 p.m., April 28
Attorney General Republicans — 4:30 p.m., April 28
Secretary of State Republicans — 7 p.m., April 28
Secretary of State Democrats — 8 p.m., April 28

Republican Billionaire Rick Jackson campaigned in Augusta, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

Health care staffing executive Rick Jackson stopped at Augusta’s Daniel Field during a statewide campaign swing to hammer the planks of a campaign platform that emphasizes bringing “business solutions to Georgia just like President Trump has for the United States – with a Southern tone,” he said.

“What I have realized is that we don’t have a political problem. We have a business problem that requires business solutions,” Jackson said. “I have built a $3 billion business without any outside financial help, and when you know how to do stuff like that, you can do a lot of things to solve problems, and that’s what I plan to do all over the state.”

Jackson is one of eight candidates in a bloated Republican primary in which his arguably most vocal opponent has been Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. His campaign ads describe Jackson as an opportunistic outsider, while Jackson’s ads try to paint Jones as using his political career for self-enrichment.

“I cannot be bought, and I will do everything I can to make it a better place for Georgia, to make it conservative and to win in November,” Jackson said.

“I’ve really deepened my belief that I can really make a difference in the rural areas of Georgia, period, to bring them some economic relief,” he said.

Three Democratic candidates are seeking the State Senate District 12 seat being vacated by Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D-Albany), according to WALB.

Three candidates are competing to represent Georgia’s Senate District 12 following the resignation of longtime State Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, who stepped down earlier this year due to her husband’s illness.

The race features Camilla City Councilmember Corey Morgan, Albany firefighter and community leader Tracy Taylor, and Edward Brown, who has received Sims’ endorsement.

Corey Morgan, a two-term elected official in Camilla, said his experience in local government and time working with the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus sets him apart. His campaign focuses on affordability, including lowering utility costs and expanding access to workforce housing.

He also points to healthcare access as a major issue in Southwest Georgia.

“Residents are traveling out of state just to receive care,” Morgan said. “We have to expand clinics and telehealth options in this region.”

Tracy Taylor, a firefighter with the Albany Fire Department and president of the Dougherty County NAACP, says workforce development is his top priority. He is advocating for increased state investment in local colleges to address a projected nursing shortage.

He also emphasizes job creation, particularly bringing more manufacturing opportunities to District 12.

“Our district deserves the same economic opportunities as others across the state,” Taylor said.

Brown, who has experience in local government, is campaigning on expanding economic opportunity across rural communities. According to his campaign, his priorities include improving access to healthcare, increasing affordable housing options, supporting local agriculture, and strengthening education systems in underserved areas.

Edward Brown has garnered attention after receiving the endorsement of the former state senator, who said she believes he is prepared to continue serving the district, according to the Albany Herald.

WALB reached out to Brown for an interview, but we have not been able to schedule a time with him yet.

Both Morgan and Taylor faced questions tied to their political histories.

Morgan has previously addressed concerns about trust stemming from his time serving on the Camilla City Council. He pointed to his re-election as evidence of community confidence.

“When I was re-elected in 2023, I received 79% of the vote,” Morgan said. “That shows me that that community had all the trust in me, and I promise to continue to deliver, listen first to our community members, and give them tangible, real solutions that they can fill.”

Taylor, who has run for multiple offices across party lines, said his repeated campaigns reflect a commitment to serve wherever he’s needed most.

“I genuinely have love for this community and for this district,” Taylor said. “So, wherever the people feel comfortable, where I need to be serving best at, to providing them with a tremendous service… I’m a force to be reckoned with.”

District 12 spans 13 counties across Southwest Georgia, making it one of the larger and more rural districts in the state. Candidates say key issues include economic development, healthcare access, and voter engagement in underserved communities.

With early voting approaching, the race to replace Sims is expected to draw increased attention as voters decide who will represent the region at the State Capitol.

Early voting begins April 27. Election Day is May 19.

Hall County Commission Candidate Gregg Poole thinks its a good idea to pick a fight with the county GOP. From AccessWDUN:

Republican candidate for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District Gregg Poole and the Hall County GOP were at odds this week.

The issue? At an April 18 candidate meet-and-greet, Poole said the organization should be looked into for election interference due to it being the first time he had been invited to speak before them since announcing his campaign.

“I believe their job is to be neutral in this process and put every Republican candidate that is a proven Republican in front of people,” Poole said on Wednesday’s edition of WDUN’s “The Drive at 5.” “At this thing Saturday, there were several GOP people with t-shirts for one of the candidates running.”

In response, the Hall County GOP issued an open letter to Poole on Tuesday.

“Your public remarks suggesting that you were treated unfairly … are both disappointing and inappropriate,” the letter read. “That decision is not only disrespectful to me and our Executive Board, but also to the many volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy.”

The organization went on to say that there is “no law in the State of Georgia” that requires them to invite specific candidates to their meetings.

Poole said while he has been a Hall County Commissioner for District 3, the organization wanted him to speak on the data center.

“As soon as we we move into running for this 9th District Congressional race, I’ve asked repeatedly and have never had an invite to speak,” Poole said. “Then they had the nerve to ask me ‘don’t forget, put money in the offering plate, we’re raising money’ I said ‘you’re outside your mind if you think I’m giving you a dime.’”

Poole mentioned on Saturday and reiterated on Wednesday that both parties need a “gut cleansing.”

“I’m saying that I’m running on affordability issues,” Poole said. πI don’t think they like somebody that’s running on affordability, telling people ‘hey, why your kids can’t afford a house?’ these must be offensive things that I’m saying.”

Poole also expressed concern that the Democrats were going to make massive gains in the November general election because they are hitting affordability issues.

“They know that my numbers are real on that straw poll, I’m not telling nobody to call and vote,” Poole said. “They’re scared to death of an organic vote.”

Poole also advocated for his own record over the Incumbent Andrew Clyde and former Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon.

“If you look at who’s brought more money to the 9th District, it’s going to be me. Our current incumbent has brought zero, our other guy that’s running has cost this county money if you want to get down to brass tacks,” Poole said.

AccessWDUN profiles the Republican candidates for State School Superintendent.

Three-time Incumbent Richard Woods is facing four challengers in the State Superintendent Republican Primary.

The challengers in the race are Candler County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fred “Bubba” Longgrear, former Democrat-turned-Republican State Representative Mesha Mainor, nonprofit education executive Dr. Randall Trammell, and business owner Dr. Nelva Lee.

AccessWDUN asked all five candidates a series of questions ranging from the Promise Scholarships passed by the legislator in 2023 to school safety in the wake of the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting.

Richmond County schools will place cameras in some classrooms as a pilot program, according to WRDW.

Richmond County schools will launch a pilot program to install cameras in some special education classrooms.

The program is designed to increase transparency with families. Video would be saved for up to 90 days but will meet strict privacy guidelines and would only be reviewed upon a formal request.

The trial program will start with cameras in some special education classrooms. Video stores for 90 days and would need a formal request to be viewed. Future use will be determined based on the pilot program’s success.

The board says the success of this pilot program will determine how they move forward.

The board is updating its truancy policy to prevent chronic absenteeism. The district says this is to align themselves with state policy to include attendance teams and increased interventions.

The updated policy addresses chronic absenteeism, aligns with state policy, adds attendance teams and includes increased interventions.

Both of these programs will begin in the fall.

Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar will host a Town Hall on Saturday at 11 AM, according to the Statesboro Herald.

Valdosta City Council announced Jennifer Wheeler as their sole finalist for City Manager, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

During Thursday’s city council meeting, it was announced that Wheeler was the sole finalist for the position. This is the first permanent city manager since Hardy and former Assistant City Manager Catherine Ammons resigned their positions with the city.

Wheeler has served in government administration and project management for over 18 years in Virginia, including Virginia Beach Public Works business manager and Virginia Peninsulas Public Services Authority executive director before taking the position with Valdosta. She has extensive leadership experience in many different roles, and has been praised for her capability and care in her position.

Baldwin County Commissioners terminated County Manager Carlos Tobar, according to 13WMAZ.

A forensic audit has revealed significant financial management issues in Baldwin County, including weak internal controls, millions in untracked spending and months of missed payments to the City of Milledgeville.

The review, conducted by auditor David Sawyer of Sawyer & Company LLC, was launched in October after county officials discovered payments owed to the city had not been made on time.

“The findings from our forensic analysis show significant weaknesses in internal controls within Baldwin County’s finances,” Sawyer said.

According to the audit, the county failed to properly manage its cash flow and, at times, spent more money than it brought in.

Investigators found that TSPLOST expenditures exceeded revenues, forcing the county to rely on short-term borrowing to cover expenses.

The report also identified widespread issues in financial oversight. Millions of dollars tied to SPLOST and TSPLOST projects were spent without proper purchase orders, including approximately $11.5 million in SPLOST funds and $15.3 million in TSPLOST funds.

Commissioner Scott Little said the findings played a role in the decision to terminate County Manager Carlos Tobar on Wednesday.

“That data informs myself and fellow commissioners of how we lead Baldwin County and represent our constituents, and emotion shouldn’t play into that,” Little said.

Little also noted the county had as many as 16 active projects at one time, which he said was too many for a county of its size and contributed to oversight challenges.

City officials said the audit confirmed concerns about how money owed to Milledgeville had been handled.

“It was a shock to see the substantial amount of money that was owed and not accounted for appropriately,” said Arlene Simmons. “But I’m hopeful they’ll be able to resolve it.”

Simmons, the District 2 City Councilwoman for Milledgeville, said she supports the county’s decision to remove its manager and believes broader changes are needed.

“I believe they made the right decision. An overhaul is due because of all the issues that were uncovered,” she said.

City leaders say they are now focused on ensuring future payments are made on time and that both governments can move forward with greater transparency.

“We would definitely like to see that we are squared away, that the county is back on track and that everything is transparent,” Simmons said.

County officials say they are working to strengthen financial controls and improve oversight following the audit’s findings.

Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell fired their County Manager, apparently unilaterally, according to the AJC.

Harrell notes that she had the authority to remove the county manager, though under new legislation that is awaiting the governor’s signature, that decision would require a majority vote by the board.

In a statement, Harrell said the decision to remove Hobson-Matthews “was made with the support of the majority of the board,” though at least one commissioner said he did not know the firing was coming.

Commissioner Johnny Wilson of District 1 said he was stunned and “devastated” when he learned about the firing Wednesday from a county press release. He posted on social media that the firing was “news to me” and called it “a sad day in Henry County.”

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced three new indictments concerning the “Cop City” protests, according to WRDW.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has announced new indictments against three people with alleged connections to Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, also known as “Cop City”, protests.

The announcement comes after the attorney general appealed a Fulton County Superior Court ruling that dismissed racketeering charges against 61 people related to the controversial center.

The facility, which opened last year, became a flashpoint for controversy. Supporters said the project was needed to replace outdated facilities. Opponents argued it will be a training ground for a militarized police force and its construction had worsened the environment.

In Carr’s indictment, protesters were accused of everything from setting construction equipment on fire to money laundering.

A Fulton County Superior Court judge dismissed some, but not all, of Carr’s case in December.

On Thursday, AG Carr said a Cobb County grand jury handed up indictments against three alleged protesters accused of throwing incendiary devices at a construction building.

Katie Marie Kloth, 39, of Schofield, Pennsylvania; Tyler John Norman, 42, of Blue Mountain, Wisconsin; and Hannah Kass, 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are each charged with two counts of criminal damage to property in the second degree and one count of arson of lands.

“Violence and destruction are not speech, violence and destruction are not constitutionally protected acts, violence and destruction will be prosecuted by this office,” Carr said.