Jester: Revote on Lavista Hills Cityhood

DeKalb District 1 commissioner Nancy Jester is calling for a revote on the issue of cityhood for Lavista Hills.

“I have seen video of the GBI removing voting equipment from the DeKalb County Elections HQ,” Jester said in a statement issued late Friday afternoon. “ I am also aware that it has been reported that Leonard Piazza, the second in command in DeKalb’s elections office, said there were serious voting irregularities with the LaVista Hills vote.

“Some specific allegations include an unsecured memory card, voters being turned away, and materials mismanagement. Mr. Piazza maintains that he reported this to DeKalb Elections Director Maxine Daniels. Subsequently, he has been placed on administrative leave.”

Allegations of vote tampering surfaced late Thursday. The Georgia Secretary of State and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are looking into the alleged irregularities.

“I have every confidence Secretary of State Kemp and the GBI will conduct a full and thorough investigation and address any criminal activity.

“Voters in DeKalb deserve to have confidence that elections are conducting with integrity and security. Due to the nature of the allegations, the fact that DeKalb Election officials have themselves reported this matter, and furthermore that this employee has been placed on leave; I believe that the citizens should be allowed to vote again on this measure.

“Unless and until voters are allowed an election without any shadow of illegitimacy, this vote will remain suspect and DeKalb’s reputation will continue to erode.”