Today, Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. issued the following statement following Governor Brian Kemp’s signing of legislation making many county offices in Metro Atlanta nonpartisan and his subsequent call for a special session to redraw congressional district lines:
“For years, Republicans in Georgia have stood behind the phrase ‘local control.’ They have used it to justify policy decisions, challenge federal involvement, and argue that communities know what is best for themselves.
But now, we are seeing that principle abandoned when it comes to Metro Atlanta.
Governor Kemp signed legislation fundamentally changing how local county elections operate across Democratic-leaning counties, removing party labels from races that directly impact millions of people. Then, almost immediately afterward, state leaders announced efforts to redraw congressional district lines through a special session to commence in June.
That is not consistency. That is political convenience.
As the lone practicing attorney on the Board of Commissioners of Fulton County—Georgia’s most populous county—I believe local communities deserve the right to maintain transparent and accountable elections without interference from politicians at the state capitol trying to engineer outcomes they politically prefer.
Removing party identification from local races does not remove politics from government. It removes information from voters. It creates confusion for working people, seniors, first-time voters, and busy families trying to make informed decisions about the future of their counties.
And let’s be honest about why Metro Atlanta was targeted. Because this region is diverse. Because this region is growing. Because voters here are engaged and exercising their power. Because Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett and Cobb counties delivered the Democratic victory—to not only President Joe Biden, but to our current U.S. Senators: Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. The state’s first Black senator and its first Jewish senator.
At the same time, reopening congressional maps raises serious concerns about whether representation is being manipulated for partisan gain instead of protecting the voices of communities.
My father, Marvin Arrington Sr., often said, ‘Democracy only works when the people believe their voices matter.’ Right now, too many Georgians feel like politicians are rewriting rules instead of listening to voters.
People are tired of political games. They want safer communities, economic opportunity, affordable housing, cheaper gas and groceries—and they also want leadership focused on solving real problems.
Georgia should not be in the business of weakening public trust in democracy.
I will continue standing up for transparency, local accountability, and fair representation because the people of Fulton County deserve leadership willing to fight for them—not political systems designed around power.
