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County considers hotel tax increase By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA
Members of the Forsyth County Board of Election postponed a resolution Sept. 3 that would have requested the Georgia State Elections Board halt rule changes until after the upcoming presidential election.
Forsyth Elections Board splits in tackling state rules changes By JAKE DRUKMAN newsroom@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Voter Registrations & Elections Board voted 3-2 on Sept. 3 to postpone voting on a resolution requesting that the Georgia State Election Board halt rule changes that could affect the upcoming general election. The resolution, proposed by Democratic county board appointee Anita Tucker, seeks a 90-day “quiet period” to allow the county to implement new rules the State Election Board enacted in August without facing further changes ahead of Election Day. The resolution is not binding, and the State Election Board will still be free to
make rule changes even if it passes. “We need 90 days of quiet so that we can pull together all of the pieces it takes to run an election,” Tucker said. “We need 90 days so that we are not disrupted and that we don’t have issues with our poll workers, and our staff and voters.” The proposed resolution comes amid widespread controversy over the state board’s new rules. One requires certifying election officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying the state’s election results. The rule does not specify what constitutes a reasonable inquiry. The second new rule requires county officials to “fully investigate” any discrepancies in the number of voters in a precinct and the number of ballots cast.
Criticism of the state board’s new rules has come from Republicans and Democrats, who argue that they could delay certification and sow undue doubt in the state’s election integrity. Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has been one of the state board’s most prominent detractors, calling the panel “a mess” in an August press conference. “Misguided attempts by the State Election Board will delay election results and undermine chain of custody safeguards,” Raffensperger said in an Aug. 15 statement regarding the rule changes. “Georgia voters reject this
See ELECTIONS, Page 22
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County could raise its tax rate for hotel stays to the state-allowed maximum of 8 percent. The County Commission considered increasing the tax at a Sept. 5 meeting, holding the first of at least two public hearings on the proposal. Forsyth County already collects a 5 percent tax from hotel bookings. State law allows counties and cities to collect a maximum of 8 percent. The commission is considering the decision after unanimous approval by the county’s state delegation during the 2024 legislative session. An increase to 8 percent would require a county ordinance.
See HOTEL, Page 22
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA
Forsyth County Chamber Director of Tourism Stacey Gross and Chamber Vice President of Economic Development Alex Warner listen to discussion at a Sept. 5 County Commission meeting.