ATLANTA (November 3, 2026) — Today, Chatham County Democratic Delegation members Senator Derek Mallow (D–Savannah), a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics, and Representative Anne Allen Westbrook (D–Savannah), issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to deploy federal election monitors to Chatham County and five other Georgia counties during the November 3rd General Election:
“Every Georgian deserves to have confidence that our elections are conducted fairly, transparently and without interference. We recognize the importance of accountability and oversight in maintaining the integrity of our elections. However, that commitment must extend to how oversight is conducted and where it is applied.
“The Department of Justice’s decision to monitor polling locations in only six of Georgia’s 159 counties raises reasonable questions about the consistency of federal election supervision. If the goal is to ensure fair and secure elections, Georgians need a clear explanation of why certain jurisdictions have been selected while others will not receive the same level of federal monitoring.
“Election integrity is not a partisan issue, nor should it ever become one. Voters in Chatham County deserve the same standards of accountability as voters in every other county across our state. Selective oversight without a clear explanation of the criteria used risks creating unnecessary uncertainty and undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
“We support efforts to protect the rights of every eligible voter and uphold the integrity of our elections. We simply believe those efforts must be guided by consistent standards and equal respect for every community.
“As we approach November 3rd, our shared priority should be ensuring that every Georgian can cast their ballot with the confidence that their vote will be counted. That is a responsibility that transcends political affiliation, and it is a standard we should all be committed to upholding.”
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Sen. Derek Mallow represents the 2nd Senate District, which includes a portion of Chatham County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-7586 or by email at Derek.Mallow@senate.ga.gov.
Representative Anne Allen Westbrook represents the citizens of District 163, which includes a portion of Chatham County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Judiciary and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.