ATLANTA, GA: For weeks, a battle has been brewing at the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, specifically about making the chief magistrate judicial position an appointed one, which would eliminate the rights of Fulton County voters from electing their countywide chief magistrate. Fulton Chief Magistrate Judge Cassandra Kirk, who happens to be the first woman and first Black chief judge to be elected to the position, has faced recent scrutiny from Fulton Commissioners Bob Ellis, a Republican, and Dana Barret, a Democrat. According to activists, the optics are "bad", citing the commissioners who proposed the resolutions are the only white commissioners serving on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
HEG On Target Solutions, led by Political Analyst Fred Hicks, who provides political commentary for Fox 5 News Atlanta and Fox Business, polled Fulton voters to analyze preferences in judicial selections. The press release reveals that a significant majority, 87% of the respondents endorsed the election of judges, and close to 90% advocated for the election of the chief magistrate judge. The findings indicate that support for elected judges extends beyond political affiliations, resonating with both party-aligned individuals and those without a clear partisan identity.
PRESS RELEASE
"Voters are more aware now of the court system than perhaps at any point in recent memory. From the culture wars litigated at the Supreme Court to local issues, voters have strong and divergent opinions about court decisions. However, at more than 87%, Fulton County voters are overwhelmingly in agreement that judges should be elected, not appointed," said pollster Fred Hicks. "With regard to the position of Chief Magistrate Judge, nearly 90% of voters believe the position should be elected, not appointed. It does not matter where they live in Fulton County or their party affiliation, voters want to elect their judges," Hicks continued.
Multiple groups, including the GA NAACP, The Coalition for the People's Agenda, Fulton County Democratic Party, watchdog organization Fulton Watch, and others have spoken against the proposed change, saying it further erodes trust in democratic norms, and makes what is seemingly an internal county issue become a Fulton voter issue. Longtime activists like Richard Rose, former NAACP President and Attorney Gerald Griggs also stand against the proposed measure.
Among the key findings are:
- Approximately 84% of self-identified Republicans believe judges, including the Chief Magistrate Judge, should be elected
- Support for electing judges, including the Chief Magistrate Judge position, was highest among those who declined to select a partisan identity
- More than 80% of voters in each Fulton County Commission district support electing versus appointing the Chief Magistrate Judge position, with a high of 95% in District 5 and a low of roughly 82% in District 3
"The findings are remarkably consistent. While we did not explore the why, it is clear where Fulton County voters stand on the questions of appointing versus electing judges. Fulton County voters do not want to give up their power to elect judges," said Hicks.
The survey was conducted via text on January 20th and January 21st, 2024. Participants were randomly selected and received the survey. The results are not weighted.
- 2,955 voters responded to the question: "Do you believe that judges should be elected by voters or appointed by other judges?"
- 2,017 voters responded to the question: "Currently, the voters elect the Chief Judge of the Fulton County Magistrate Court. Do you want the position to be appointed rather than elected?
Survey Questions:
1.) Do you believe that judges should be elected by voters or appointed by other judges?
Elected by the people
Appointed by other judges
2.) Currently, the voters elect the Chief Judge of the Fulton County Magistrate Court. Do you want the position to be appointed rather than elected?
Elected
Appointed
3.) Do you tend to vote for Democrat or Republicans?
Democrats
Republicans
I would rather not say
4.) Do you identify as a man, woman, non-binary, or would you rather not say?
Man
Woman
Non-binary
Rather not say
Response by Commission District:
Q1Response by Commission District
Q2Response by Commission District
Response by Self-identified PartyResponse by Commission District
