Mark Niesse
@markniesse.bsky.social
Reporter covering the Georgia General Assembly and state government for Capitol Beat at capitol-beat.org
The FBI got the ballots from the 2020 election in Fulton County. Agents will use them to look for double-counted, illegal and missing ballots. The election is long over, but Republicans' quest to find intentional fraud isn't. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
February 15, 2026 at 1:46 PM
The FBI got the ballots from the 2020 election in Fulton County. Agents will use them to look for double-counted, illegal and missing ballots. The election is long over, but Republicans' quest to find intentional fraud isn't. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Many conspiracy theories about the 2020 election have been debunked.
But skeptics say the FBI's investigation of Fulton County could answer legitimate questions about double-counted or uncounted ballots. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
But skeptics say the FBI's investigation of Fulton County could answer legitimate questions about double-counted or uncounted ballots. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Skeptics of 2020 election look for answers from FBI raid in Fulton
Allegations of fraud and mismanagement have dogged Fulton County since 2020.
www.ajc.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Many conspiracy theories about the 2020 election have been debunked.
But skeptics say the FBI's investigation of Fulton County could answer legitimate questions about double-counted or uncounted ballots. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
But skeptics say the FBI's investigation of Fulton County could answer legitimate questions about double-counted or uncounted ballots. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Several Georgia Republican senators are demanding that Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger comply with the Trump administration’s pursuit of the state’s unredacted voter registration list. #gapol capitol-beat.org/2026/01/geor...
Georgia GOP senators target Raffensperger over voter registration lists |
capitol-beat.org
January 14, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Several Georgia Republican senators are demanding that Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger comply with the Trump administration’s pursuit of the state’s unredacted voter registration list. #gapol capitol-beat.org/2026/01/geor...
Lawmaking in Georgia this year could come with a healthy dose of campaigning. At least 16 Georgia legislators say they’re running for higher office during elections later this year. #gapol capitol-beat.org/2026/01/geor...
Georgia legislators run for higher office while crafting new laws |
capitol-beat.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Lawmaking in Georgia this year could come with a healthy dose of campaigning. At least 16 Georgia legislators say they’re running for higher office during elections later this year. #gapol capitol-beat.org/2026/01/geor...
The Georgia Senate voted along party lines Tuesday to ban cities from requiring gun owners to lock up their guns in cars, the first bill approved in this year’s legislative session. capitol-beat.org/2026/01/geor... #gapol
Georgia Senate bans local gun storage laws with first bill passed in 2026 |
capitol-beat.org
January 13, 2026 at 6:59 PM
The Georgia Senate voted along party lines Tuesday to ban cities from requiring gun owners to lock up their guns in cars, the first bill approved in this year’s legislative session. capitol-beat.org/2026/01/geor... #gapol
When it’s not busy bickering, the State Election Board keeps trying to insert itself into Georgia’s voting process even after the state Supreme Court reduced its power this spring. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
A squabbling State Election Board struggles after Georgia Supreme Court ruling
The State Election Board is mired in squabbles and political advocacy even after the Georgia Supreme Court rebuked the board for exceeding its authority.
www.ajc.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:47 PM
When it’s not busy bickering, the State Election Board keeps trying to insert itself into Georgia’s voting process even after the state Supreme Court reduced its power this spring. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
The Georgia Republican Party is asking legislators to get rid of a week of early voting, end no-excuse absentee voting and eliminate automatic voter registration. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Georgia Republican Party targets early and absentee voting in 2026 agenda
The Georgia Republican Party is seeking broad reductions to early voting, absentee voting and voter registration through a GOP-led committee of state legislators.
www.ajc.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The Georgia Republican Party is asking legislators to get rid of a week of early voting, end no-excuse absentee voting and eliminate automatic voter registration. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
A huge backlog of cases at the State Election Board has, at times, prevented the timely prosecution of double-voting, allowing alleged wrongdoers to escape justice. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Georgia double-voting cases bypass State Election Board backlog
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has begun sending allegations of double-voting to prosecutors, circumventing the backlogged State Election Board.
www.ajc.com
September 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
A huge backlog of cases at the State Election Board has, at times, prevented the timely prosecution of double-voting, allowing alleged wrongdoers to escape justice. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
A federal judge upheld a Georgia law restricting voting organizations from mass-mailing absentee ballot applications as they did during the 2020 election. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Georgia voting law's limits on mass-mailing absentee applications upheld
A federal judge ruled in favor of part of Georgia's 2021 voting law that restricts organizations from mass-mailing absentee ballot applications to voters.
www.ajc.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
A federal judge upheld a Georgia law restricting voting organizations from mass-mailing absentee ballot applications as they did during the 2020 election. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
In a rare show of bipartisanship in Georgia elections, a few prominent Democratic lawmakers are supporting a Republican effort to move toward hand-marked paper ballots. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Bipartisan support grows for using hand-marked paper ballots in Georgia
A Republican effort to switch to hand-marked paper ballots in Georgia is gaining support from some Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and state legislators.
www.ajc.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:07 PM
In a rare show of bipartisanship in Georgia elections, a few prominent Democratic lawmakers are supporting a Republican effort to move toward hand-marked paper ballots. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Gabriel Sterling, a leading defender of Georgia’s voting system who famously called for President Donald Trump to condemn election threats in 2020, launched a campaign for secretary of state. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Gabriel Sterling launches campaign for Georgia secretary of state
Gabriel Sterling, a Republican defender of Georgia's election system who called out President Donald Trump in 2020, is running for secretary of state.
www.ajc.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Gabriel Sterling, a leading defender of Georgia’s voting system who famously called for President Donald Trump to condemn election threats in 2020, launched a campaign for secretary of state. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Key Georgia lawmakers Tuesday called for a rapid test-run of hand-marked paper ballots in this year’s elections, switching from touchscreens in some polling places. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Hand-marked paper ballots could be tested in Georgia's 2025 elections
Lawmakers overseeing Georgia's election laws called for a test-run of hand-marked paper ballots this fall, a move away from touchscreen voting.
www.ajc.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Key Georgia lawmakers Tuesday called for a rapid test-run of hand-marked paper ballots in this year’s elections, switching from touchscreens in some polling places. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Automatic voter registration — which has given Georgia one of the highest registration rates in the nation — might be endangered next year. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Automatic voter registration comes under scrutiny by Georgia lawmakers
Georgia lawmakers will decide whether to roll back automatic voter registration, which has resulted in high numbers of voters but led to some criticism.
www.ajc.com
September 1, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Automatic voter registration — which has given Georgia one of the highest registration rates in the nation — might be endangered next year. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
CLARKESVILLE — A divided, bickering State Election Board was on full display Thursday as Georgia legislators repeatedly heard about its deep “dysfunction.” State representatives were not impressed. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
State Election Board's 'dysfunction' on display for Georgia lawmakers
Georgia lawmakers witnessed a splintered and dysfunctional State Election Board as they consider stepping in to make changes.
www.ajc.com
August 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
CLARKESVILLE — A divided, bickering State Election Board was on full display Thursday as Georgia legislators repeatedly heard about its deep “dysfunction.” State representatives were not impressed. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
A judge held the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in civil contempt Wednesday, ordering $10,000 daily fines for defying a court order by failing to appoint two Republican nominees to the county Election Board. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Fulton commission must appoint GOP nominees or face $10K daily fines
Board of Commissioners must appoint two Republicans to the county Election Board or pay $10,000 daily fines.
www.ajc.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A judge held the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in civil contempt Wednesday, ordering $10,000 daily fines for defying a court order by failing to appoint two Republican nominees to the county Election Board. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Georgia finished canceling nearly 471,000 voter registrations Friday, one of the largest removals of inactive voters in U.S. history. The cancellations shrink the state's number of registered voters from 8.44 million to less than 8 million. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Georgia cancels nearly 471K voters, one of the largest removals in history
Georgia election officials completed the canceling of 471,000 voter registrations this week, removing people who moved away or haven't participated in recent elections.
www.ajc.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Georgia finished canceling nearly 471,000 voter registrations Friday, one of the largest removals of inactive voters in U.S. history. The cancellations shrink the state's number of registered voters from 8.44 million to less than 8 million. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners refused to appoint two election critics nominated by the county Republican Party on Wednesday, despite a court order requiring them to do so. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Fulton commissioners reject GOP election board picks, defying court order
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners defied a court order and refused to appoint two election skeptics to the county elections board on Wednesday.
www.ajc.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners refused to appoint two election critics nominated by the county Republican Party on Wednesday, despite a court order requiring them to do so. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Since the Georgia Supreme Court rejected several of the State Election Board's voting rules this summer, all sides have agreed to dismiss the rest of the case. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
The latest from the Georgia 2026 midterm election trail
Get the latest updates and analysis on the Georgia races for U.S. Senate and governor — the battleground state's most hotly contested races.
www.ajc.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Since the Georgia Supreme Court rejected several of the State Election Board's voting rules this summer, all sides have agreed to dismiss the rest of the case. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
A judge threw out a lawsuit Monday over the 2020 presidential election, ruling against Georgia election critics who had demanded to review ballot images that don't exist. www.ajc.com/politics/202... #gapol
The latest from the Georgia 2026 midterm election trail
Get the latest updates and analysis on the Georgia races for U.S. Senate and governor — the battleground state's most hotly contested races.
www.ajc.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A judge threw out a lawsuit Monday over the 2020 presidential election, ruling against Georgia election critics who had demanded to review ballot images that don't exist. www.ajc.com/politics/202... #gapol
Georgia’s mass cancellation of inactive voter registrations — one of the largest in U.S. history — targets people who likely moved away and didn’t vote recently. But it comes with a risk that eligible voters could get swept up in the process. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Mass voter registration cancellation in Georgia could affect eligible voters
Georgia plans to cancel nearly 500,000 inactive voter registrations this month. Voting rights groups warn the cancellations include some voters who may still be eligible.
www.ajc.com
August 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Georgia’s mass cancellation of inactive voter registrations — one of the largest in U.S. history — targets people who likely moved away and didn’t vote recently. But it comes with a risk that eligible voters could get swept up in the process. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals questioned whether providing food and water to voters waiting in line is a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment or an intrusion on the protected space near polling places. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Federal appeals court considers food-and-water ban in Georgia's voting law
Federal appeals court judges questioned whether Georgia's ban on giving food and water to voters waiting in line is allowed or violates their free speech rights.
www.ajc.com
August 13, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals questioned whether providing food and water to voters waiting in line is a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment or an intrusion on the protected space near polling places. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
A Georgia elections study has become a public venue for conservative activists to demand major changes, such as switching to hand-marked paper ballots, ending no-excuse absentee voting and getting rid of automatic voter registration. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Georgia representatives open up debate over vast changes to voting laws
A Georgia elections study committee has become a forum for advocates on the right and left to seek major changes to voting laws ahead of a heated election year in 2026.
www.ajc.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A Georgia elections study has become a public venue for conservative activists to demand major changes, such as switching to hand-marked paper ballots, ending no-excuse absentee voting and getting rid of automatic voter registration. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Investigations of election fraud and errors took a back seat to the State Election Board’s failed efforts to change Georgia election rules last year. Now there's a backlog of 315 cases that have already been investigated and are awaiting decisions. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
August 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Investigations of election fraud and errors took a back seat to the State Election Board’s failed efforts to change Georgia election rules last year. Now there's a backlog of 315 cases that have already been investigated and are awaiting decisions. #gapol www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Mark Niesse
Attorney General Chris Carr’s campaign for governor just filed a federal lawsuit challenging a 2021 Georgia law that allows his Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, to raise unlimited cash while imposing strict limits on his own fundraising. #gapol
ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com/politics/202...
Chris Carr suing Burt Jones over unlimited fundraising edge
The Georgia attorney general's gubernatorial campaign claims a 2021 state law allowing Jones to raise unlimited cash is unfair.
ajc.com
August 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Attorney General Chris Carr’s campaign for governor just filed a federal lawsuit challenging a 2021 Georgia law that allows his Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, to raise unlimited cash while imposing strict limits on his own fundraising. #gapol
ajc.com/politics/202...
ajc.com/politics/202...