ATLANTA – State Representative Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro), along with State Representatives El-Mahdi Holly (D-Stockbridge), Sandra Scott (D-Rex) and State Senator Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro), recently submitted a letter to the Jonesboro City Council calling for the council to reconsider its decision to take over the city’s elections operations.
“We implore city council members to reconsider its position and allow Clayton County to host the next election cycle,” said Rep. Bell. “Denying this opportunity will not only exacerbate the deficit of election spending in Jonesboro but will also result in truncated voting times and a limited number of available voting precincts for our constituents. We hope that the city will embrace this opportunity to demonstrate that Jonesboro is a place where democracy thrives and the rights of all are protected.”
The Jonesboro City Council recently voted to begin operating its own city elections again. Before the decision, the city’s elections have been run by Clayton County since 2016.
Rep. Bell and his local legislative colleagues believe that allowing the county to run these local elections allows for more voting precincts, encouraging easy access and spurring more voter participation. These legislators have also encouraged city officials to begin discussing how to remedy the recent decision.
*Editor’s Note: A copy of Rep. Bell’s letter to the Jonesboro City Council is attached.
Representative Eric Bell represents the citizens of District 75, which includes portions of Clayton County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2023.
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