Fulton County election board member, Julie Adams walks at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
A Fulton County judge has temporarily paused his own contempt order that would have fined the county commission $10,000 per day for refusing to seat two election-denying Republican nominees to the county’s Board of Elections.
Superior Court Judge David Emerson issued the stay Thursday, after Democratic commissioners filed an appeal of his earlier contempt ruling.
In his written order, Emerson made clear that the pause was mandatory under state law.
“In compliance with the statute, this court grants a stay of the enforcement of the contempt sanction imposed by this court in its order of August 27, 2025, only,” Emerson wrote.
That means the fines — set to begin Friday — will not take effect while the appeal is considered. However, the underlying requirement to appoint the GOP nominees remains in place.
The county GOP nominated Julie Adams, who previously refused to certify election results, and Jason Frazier, who has challenged the eligibility of thousands of voters.
Democratic commissioners have resisted appointing them, citing concerns about election integrity and voter suppression. Republicans sued, and earlier this month Judge Emerson ordered the commission to seat the nominees.
When they refused, he held them in contempt and imposed steep daily fines.
The commission is scheduled to revisit the appointments at its next meeting Wednesday.