Cobb Reporter

Blake Harbin, a Republican candidate for Georgia's Sixth Congressional District seat, is calling for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to issue paper ballots for the upcoming primary elections. 

Harbin pointed to irregularities with early voting in DeKalb, Fulton, and Cobb counties as evidence that the Election Integrity Act of 2021 has not been successful.      

"In DeKalb, Fulton and Cobb counties, registered voters were not transferred to the correct counties and precincts after the state-wide redistricting," Harbin said in a letter to Raffensperger. "This caused absentee ballots that were mailed or dropped off previously to be redone. We have no indication if those voters were alerted, and if they were able to cast their vote again so that it can be lawfully counted." 

The letter also notes that "In Fulton County, the Interim Director of Registration and Elections, Nadine Williams, in relation to early voting, stated that, 'We had some connectivity issues [with voting machines] in a few locations with people’s emails.'"  

Georgia's Election Integrity Act of 2021 placed some restrictions on mail-in ballots, eliminated Fulton County mobile voting buses, requires counties to report voting numbers daily, prohibits anyone besides poll workers to distribute food or beverages to voters at polling places, and sets a deadline for ballot reporting on election night.                      

Harbin is the CEO of Houzzle Financial, according to his website. He lost the ability to walk in 2007 due to a tragic accident, but determination and perseverance have enabled him to overcome that obstacle. If elected, he pledges to use the same perseverance to fight for the interests of Georgians, his website said.

 Blake Harbin will face multiple GOP challengers in the May 24 primary election for Georgia's 6th Congressional District, including Byron Gatewood, Rich McCormick, and Mallory Staples, according to Ballotpedia. The general election will take place on Nov. 8.