“il pesce puzza dalla testa” (explanation within the article)

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In the time since the November election, activists have noted the continued resistance by the Secretary of State, Georgia counties and election officials to allow anyone to see actual paper ballots produced during the election.

The SEB Chairman John Fervier appears to be doing nothing to push forward to resolution on any of these issues.    Indeed he appears to be actually creating impediments to progress by the SEB. 

Many say this makes perfect sense since Fervier was selected and put in place by Brian Kemp last year.  Kemp has repeatedly signaled that he will neither entertain nor sign any laws calling for a move to paper ballots instead of electronic machines.

Kevin Moncla a nationally recognized election integrity advocate and analyst, notes just some of the issues in a tweet posted last week;

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At the same time Fervier seems to point the finger at the entire State Election Board saying they need to do better. Yet many of the problems that hold the board back seem to be stemming from Fervier’s own actions and in some cases his lack of action.

What's really going on?

Some say it appears that Fervier, perhaps at the direction of others, is attempting to make the State Election Board look ineffective in order to open the door for others to step in and take a stronger role in state election management     If so, is this direction coming from the Secretary of State's office, the Governor's office, or someplace further beyond?

Sources say  that some members of the Secretary of States office appears to be tipping members of the press off to various issues, perhaps in order to shape the narrative they wish the public to hear.   

Dr. Jan Johnston, an SEB member, posted an account of one such instance:

Given the SEB’s history over the past two years, many Georgians have reason to question Fervier and Ghazal for their votes, which in many cases have seemed to create obstacles to learning critical facts needed to resolve long-standing questions.    As an example, the “Joe Rossi” case continues to languish without satisfactory answers after nearly four years.

Last year, Raffensperger's General Counsel, Charlene McGowan, informed the SEB that requested ballot image evidence would only be provided if the SEB confirmed the underlying case was resolved and closed.  This decision set a troubling precedent which seems to fly in the face of Georgia evidentiary rules and the laws governing the role and powers of the State Election Board.

Key members of the State Election Board have also called out the management issues the Board has been burdened with. 

In the 24 hours prior to this publication, Dr. Jan Johnston posted a video of Dominion CEO John Poulos testifying in 2022 before the SEB via teleconference. In that teleconference, Poulos says that the paper ballots are always “the official part of the election. Those are the official results. Those are what can’t be hacked.  And you hand count them to verify the count of the tabulator.”

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If Mr. Poulos is correct, then why would counties refuse to allow access to the very things Dominion says are the official results?      

Why would Charlene McGowan, a licensed attorney, acting as general counsel to the Georgia SoS, refuse to produce even ballot images requested by the State Election Board, after over 300 election violations were confirmed in Fulton County's election procedures.

Given the revelations surfacing around USAID and FEMA practices, one can appreciate how important it will be to resolve these open questions surrounding Georgia elections in order for the public to regain trust in the process.

Georgians should be vigilant and carefully investigate those cases where some may attempt to point the finger at the State Election Board and perhaps focus on whose finger is doing the pointing.

When trying to interpret the actions of our SEB Chair and other State leaders, perhaps it would be helpful to remember the Mediterranean/Italian adage:   

“il pesce puzza dalla testa” ....... “The Fish Stinks From The Head.”

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