Bibb GOP chairman questions voter legitimacy, hearing scheduled for Monday
Nearly 800 voters in Macon-Bibb County have received letters from the Macon-Bibb Board of Elections informing them that their voter status has been challenged.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Nearly 800 voters in Macon-Bibb County have received letters from the Macon-Bibb Board of Elections informing them that their voter status has been challenged.
David Sumrall, the chairman of the Bibb County Republican Party, raised the challenges, claiming that hundreds of people live out of state but are still registered to vote in Macon-Bibb County.
He also says some have listed invalid addresses such as Mercer University Student Center and UPS stores as their living quarters. A hearing is set to take place on Monday, with five members of the Board of Elections deciding if these challenged voters’ votes will count in the upcoming election.
During the hearing, Sumrall, “the challenger,” and the voters whose addresses are being challenged, will attend. Sumrall is expected to present evidence, and the voters will then be able to respond and address the accusations.
“They can show up or not, but it’s always on the challenger,” Election Supervisor Tom Gillon said Friday. “The burden of proof is always on the challenger.”
He added he believes every vote counts, and said the board will make the proper decision in accordance with the law.
The hearing will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Macon-Bibb Board of Elections office on Eisenhower Parkway.
