Politics & Government

Burrell Ellis Photo Covered Up

After DeKalb CEO candidate complained, the county government covered the photos of the incumbent CEO as well as photos of the county commissioners.

Early voting started with controversy Monday in Decatur.Β 

Because one of DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis's primary opponents complained, the DeKalb County government decided to cover up a photo of Ellis hanging in the lobby of the polling place at 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., the Clark Harrison Building.

Candidate Jerome Edmondson said having Ellis's official county office in the same building as the polling place would have an "intimidtating" effect on voters. Specifically, he complained about the placement of Ellis's photo near the entrance to the poll.

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Burke Brennan, a spokesman for DeKalb County government, said county leaders didn't see a problem with the location of the poll, but "in an abundance of caution we just covered up the pictures."

The county also covered up photos of all the county commissioners hanging in the lobby near Ellis's photo.

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Edmondson said Monday morning he filed a complaint with the Georgia Secretary of State's office.

But Jared Thomas, a spokesman for the Secretary of State's office, said Edmondson's campaign had called and asked about how to file a complaint, but had not actually filed one at that point.

Edmondson said he hopes Ellis will move his office out of the Clark Harrison Building this week during the early voting period or else the polling place will be moved.

Zee Bradford Brown of the Burrell Ellis campaign noted that the DeKalb County Elections office, not Ellis, chose to locate the polling place in the Clark Harrison Building.

Early votes have been cast there in several previous elections.

Early voting for the July 31 primary started Monday at the Harrison Building. It will last through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. There are five other spots in DeKalb where residents can cast early ballots.

Patch is seeking comment from Ellis and the Secretary of State's office. The story will be updated when that information come in.


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