Politics
Politics

Tensions mount as Fayette voting rights trial nears

By Tammy Joyner
Oct 10, 2015

What’s the fairest way to elect county officials?

That’s at the heart of a four-year fight that has consumed Fayette County officials who believe at-large or countywide works best - so do many citizens who recently appealed to the county commissioners to fight for it.

The NAACP and many black residents say district voting enables black candidates to get elected - something that didn’t happen until recently when two court-ordered elections enabled two blacks to win seats on the county commission.

The two sides could meet in court next month for a trial if they're unable to reach a settlement. Read more here.

About the Author

Tammy Joyner covers local government in Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Fani Willis loses last chance to stay at the helm of Trump Georgia election interference case

Georgia's top court declines to hear Fani Willis appeal in Trump case, meaning she can no longer pursue the election interference case.

What is the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia?

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has lost her bid to be reinstated to the election interference case her office brought against Donald Trump and his supporters.

2h ago

Clark Dean enters Georgia governor’s race as GOP ‘outsider’

Harvard-trained business executive says a ‘question everything’ approach will help Georgia stay competitive.

39m ago

The Latest

“The stakes have never been higher," business executive Clark Dean told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after filing paperwork to run for governor in Georgia as a Republican. (File/AJC)

Credit: File

Clark Dean enters Georgia governor’s race as GOP ‘outsider’

39m ago

What is the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia?

2h ago

Fani Willis loses last chance to stay at the helm of Trump Georgia election interference case

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.