Georgia Elections Board takes less than a Minute to Reject Proposal to Close 7 of 9 Polling Places in Majority Black County.

Critics had said the Plan to Consolidate Polling Places in Randolph County, Georgia, was a brazen attempt to Suppress the Black Vote in Georgia's Governor Race, which pits former Georgia House Minority Leader, Stacey Abrams (D), who is Black, against Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R), who is White.

The vote came amid widespread National Criticism and days after the County Terminated its Contract with, Mike Malone, the Consultant who made the Recommendation. Malone had argued that Closing the Polling Stations would Save the County Money, and that some of the Sites suggested for Closure did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It's unclear whether the Termination of Malone's Contract impacted the Vote.

Dozens of People lined up outside the County Government Building Friday Morning before they packed a Courtroom and faced the Two-Person Randolph County Board of Elections. The Crowd was made up of Folks from all walks of life: Black, White, Young, Old. Some Attendees had to stand as the Meeting was called to Order.

Board of Elections Member Michele Graham quickly offered a Motion that the Board make No Changes to the County's Voting Precincts. "There is a motion, and I second it," said J. Scott Peavy, rocking back and forth in his Chair. "And the vote shall be -- all in favor, say 'aye.'". "Aye," Graham said. "Aye," Peavy said. "This meeting is adjourned."

Cheers, Laughter, and Applause immediately broke out, and a Jovial Mood dominated the Crowd as they filtered outside onto the front steps. "We are excited about this moment, but we're watchful," said Edward Dubose, a Member of the NAACP's National Board of Directors.

In a Statement, the Board of Elections recognized the concern that had been raised about the Proposal, and said the Right to Vote in the U.S. was "sacred." "The interest and concern shown has been overwhelming," the Sstatement said, "and it is an encouraging reminder that protecting the right to vote remains a fundamental American principle."

The Board said there had been "discussions about the number of voting precincts in Randolph County for many years," and pointed to a Declining Population and the County's Tax Base as factors that have led the County to seek out ways to save Money.

The Debate thrust the Rural Community in Southwest Georgia, into the National Spotlight. The County of 7,000 people, about 61% of them African American, Voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Election. In the City of Cuthbert, the County Seat, a Confederate Statue is featured prominently in the Town Square.

Some Residents in Randolph County said the Proposal was an attempt to Suppress their Vote in an Election that features the First Black Female Nominee of a Major Party for Governor in the Nation. "The county commissions have known about this problem of handicap accessibility for some time. It's very odd that it would come up just before the main election when we have Stacey Abrams running for governor," said Rev. Ezekiel M. Holley, President of the Local Branch of the NAACP. Holley spent part of the Day Thursday Rallying Voters at a Breakfast. "We fought very hard to have the opportunity to vote."









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