Democratic Candidates for Fulton County District Attorney

Democratic Candidates for Fulton County District Attorney

Fulton County Dems are trying to highlight lesser-known races within Fulton County. These articles are written by volunteers. If you would like to contribute, or if you see an error, please contact [email protected]

What is a district attorney?

The district attorney is the head prosecutor in Fulton County. The DA prosecutes indictable offenses in both trial and appellate courts in the State of Georgia. The DA is also responsible for prosecuting juveniles in felony and misdemeanor cases. The DA is an elected position with a four-year term. For more information, please visit the DA’s website: https://www.atlantafultoncountyda.org

Candidates

Paul Howard

Paul Howard is the incumbent DA, currently serving his sixth term. He was the first African American elected as DA in the state of Georgia. He served as Fulton County’s Solicitor General for four years prior to being elected DA. Some highlights of his tenure as DA include restructuring the office to better execute its goals, the creation of specialized prosecution units including Crimes Against Women and Children, Public Integrity and more. He also implemented the “Complaint Room” which has streamlined the felony charging process, which has saved the county millions of dollars. He has also made efforts to increase community engagement and address the needs of youth. He is the Director-at-Large of the National Association of District Attorneys and is a member of the National Black Prosecutors Association, the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

For more information, please visit: https://www.re-electpaulhoward.com/

Christian Wise Smith

Christian Wise Smith is running for DA with the goal of reforming the office. His platform includes focusing less on low-level offenses and instead direct resources towards serious crimes. He believes that drug addiction should be treated as a medical issue instead of a criminal offense and advocates for the expansion of more effective diversion programs. He plans to increase collaboration with law enforcement, citizens, businesses and universities in Fulton County as well as to collaborate with the Fulton County School System to combat juvenile crime. He wants to eliminate the “Complaint Room” and plans to focus on transparency. He most recently served as a Fulton County Assistant District Attorney. Prior to that, he served as an assistant solicitor with the Atlanta Municipal Court and a chief of staff for the Atlanta City Council District 5 member.

For more information, please visit: https://www.wisesmith2020.com

Fani Willis

Fani Willis most recently served at the Chief Municipal Court Judge for the City of South Fulton until announcing her candidacy for Fulton County DA. She has worked in both private and public practice. She served as the Assistant Solicitor for the City of Atlanta before serving as Fulton County Assistant District Attorney in the Major Case and Cold Case divisions. She then was promoted to serve as the Deputy District Attorney of the Complex Trial Division. Willis is an advocate for children, victims of violent crime, the LGBT community and domestic violence victims. She also advocated for the passage of a hate crime bill in the 2018 Georgia Legislature. In 2018, she was awarded the Most Power and Influential Woman of the Year and has been recognized numerous times throughout her career. Her platform includes creating pre-indictment diversion programs, establishing a comprehensive investigation unit leading to proper charging and indictments, the expansion of post indictment diversion programs and the use of accountability courts. She also will work to collaborate with community and religious leaders and support youth development programs.

For more information, please visit: https://www.faniwillis.com

 Research more candidates in our Democratic Primary Candidate Guide.

Your Absentee Ballot Package

Your Absentee Ballot Package

The current COVID-19 health crisis means that a lot of Georgians are voting by mail (or “absentee,” as it’s called) for the first time.

So you’ve requested your ballot and received a big envelope in the mail. You marked your choices on your ballot. Now what?

You should receive three items with your ballot:

  • Privacy sleeve
  • Instructions
  • Return envelope

But the instructions say to “securely seal the ballot in the smaller of the two envelopes provided”. But wait, you only see one envelope!

The “second envelope” is actually that folded in half sheet of paper that reads “OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT/BALLOT MUST BE ENCLOSED”. It’s more of a privacy sleeve.

Here’s what you should do:

  • Complete your ballot.
  • Fold the privacy sleeve around your ballot.
    • Your are not required to seal the privacy sleeve. But you can, if you would like.
  • Place the folded privacy sleeve with the ballot in the return envelope.
    • Note: The ballot will not be rejected, if the privacy sleeve is not included.
  • Complete the oath on the return envelope and place it in the mail to the County Registrar’s office.

Read more: https://www.georgiademocrat.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FAQVBMInnerSleeve.pdf

absentee ballot second envelope(click image to enlarge)

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources

Since we want to make sure our community stays safe, we’re sharing some resources that we think may help you through this new and challenging time in our history.

For updates on COVID-19 (coronavirus), please refer to:

The Georgia Department of Public Health: https://dph.georgia.gov/

Fulton County government: https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19

If you think you may have a case of coronavirus, please call the Georgia COVID-19 hotline. Do not show up unannounced to a hospital or health care facility: (844) 442-2681.

 If you have symptoms of fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea, call 404-613-8150 to schedule a test at Fulton County Board of Health drive-through testing.

Resources for those affected by economic changes:

 

Ways you can help:

For more information:

Video from PBS on the Covid-19 Virus: https://youtu.be/bQZ5F-iTFYA
Tips for minimizing risk and keeping healthy during the coronavirus outbreak.

Census 2020 – Your Questions Answered

The 2020 Census is coming up! What is it? Why should you care? Can the information you share be used against you? Here are your frequently asked questions with answers.

What is the Census?
Once every ten years, the census takes place to have an accurate count of how many people are living in
the United States. This is required by the Constitution. Invitations to complete the census form will be
mailed out around March 12 – 20 and you can respond online, by mail or by phone.

Why is the census important?

  • Allocation for funding and resources

It is important to know who is living where to ensure that funding and resources such as hospitals,
schools, roads, and other public resources we all use are allocated fairly to the communities that
need them.

  • Legislative districts

Districts are redrawn every ten years to account for population changes.

  • Fair Representation

Census data is used to reapportion representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives to
determine how many seats each state receives.

  • Local governments

Local governments use census data to plan effective public safety and emergency response.

  • Businesses

Businesses use census data to determine where to build new factories, offices and stores which
creates new jobs.

Who should complete the Census?
EVERYONE! The census counts every person living in the United States, regardless of citizenship or legal
status.

Why should I complete the census?

The census accounts for how roughly $800 billion tax dollars will be spent. This money goes to things like roads, parks, public transportation and more. Each person who takes the census brings in more than $2300 in funding to Fulton County!

Is there a citizenship question on the census?

There is no citizenship question on the form. Additionally, you will not be asked for your social
security number, bank accounts, or political affiliations. All information is confidential and will only be
used for statistical purposes.

Is there a cost to take the census?

There is no fee required to complete the census.

For more information:
https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-initiatives/census-2020
https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/languages/guides/English-Guide.pdf
Para más información:
https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/languages/guides/Spanish-Guide.pdf

Day of Action at the Capitol – Bills for Consideration

The Fulton County Dems are hosting a Day of Action at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 10.
Tentative schedule:

9:00 AM, CLOB room 510 –  Lobbying Your Legislator training with Jeff Willard
9:30 AM, CLOB room 510 – A visit from legislators of Fulton County
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, Capitol Building – Working the Ropes
Noon – Optional meetup at Floyd Towers Cafeteria for feedback and lunch

Here are some bills that have surfaced either in committee or in the House or Senate. You may wish to discuss one or more of these bills with your legislator:

SB434 – Plastic Bag Ban
Prohibits plastic bags and food service disposable containers made from Styrofoam. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/sallyharrellga/videos/835725570237094/

SB409 – Vote by Mail
Would allow Georgians to always vote by mail without having to request every single election. For more information: https://www.ajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/bill-would-allow-georgians-always-vote-mail/t1vglJzzazXvs15fNf4PNI/?fbclid=IwAR0JCtnsB7zHs3DeX38ntE2r7lejTFJJzYjNZg8oTccw7JPq-ny0IVX2KpU

HB994 – “Anti-Gang” Bill
Has undergone multiple revisions but still:

– Allows prosecutors to move juvenile cases related to gang activity to the adult system with permission from a juvenile judge

– Defines “criminal street gangs” as any group – of people of three or more who are suspected of coordinating criminal activity

– Lengthens prison sentences and extends the reach of law enforcement agencies across county lines

– Expands the powers of campus police and school security officers so they can have arrest powers 880 yards beyond school boundaries

https://www.ajc.com/news/crime–law/kemp-anti-gang-bill-amended-due-opposition/yeOQplDDd8ym7aIGQliHSL/

Our legislators need to be focusing on the societal barriers that lead young people to gang involvement and invest in the resources necessary to ensure that children and their families can thrive. This bill is extremist and if unchecked, will incarcerate young people at a disturbing rate, undoing the bi-partisan work that has grounded Georgia’s criminal justice reform. There appears to be no mention of Alt-Right Militias being considered a ‘gang’. This bill defines behaviors that can be attributed to urban culture as potential crimes

SB357 – Guns in Private Schools and Churches
Will allow people to bring guns into private schools and places of worship

HB440 – Raise the Age for Juveniles

Will raise the age of minors prosecuted in the juvenile justice system to 18. The majority of offenses committed by 17 year-olds are misdemeanors. Raising the age for jurisdiction of the juvenile court system to include children who are under the age of 18 will result in better outcomes for young people who are at an age where they may act impulsively but who have great capacity for rehabilitation.

The Raise the Age Bill is in the House Juvenile Justice Committee. At the Feb 18th Talk Justice Tuesday, a 19 year-old named Dylan bravely shared his story of how when he was 17 he and his 16 year old friend were arrested for breaking and entering. Dylan’s friend was processed through the juvenile system while Dylan went through the adult system. The outcomes for the two were completely different. Dylan’s case took 2 ½ years to be resolved, he dropped out of school to get a job to pay his fines, will serve a five year probation sentence and have to deal with the stigma of a criminal record for the rest of his life. His friend has already finished his probation, he got his high school diploma and his record will be sealed.

HB1060 – Anti-Trans Bill
Preventing doctors from providing life saving treatment to trans minors. For more information: https://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20192020/HB/1060

SR654 – Tax Dollars for Public Transit (sponsored by Sen. Sally Harrell D)
Constitutional amendment to allow motor fuel tax money to be used for transit and not just roads and bridges.

SB386 – Money away from public schools
This bill is a secret school voucher bill, expanding access to special needs scholarship funds to all students with 504s. It takes money away from public schools.

HB756 and 297 – Coal Ash Pollution
Would require polluters to store coal ash in lined pits. 

HB995 – Discrimination on College Campuses
Allows discrimination on college campuses it would roll out the red carpet to permit “religious”, “political”, or “ideological” student orgs to discriminate in membership, leadership.

SB334 – Community Midwifery Bill
Licenses for midwives in Georgia. For more information: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20192020/SB/334

HB528 – Record Restriction (sponsored by Rep. Mandi Ballinger R)
Allows for the restriction (expungement) of most misdemeanor conviction records after four years.

HB714 – Solitary Confinement (sponsored by Rep. Bee Nguyen D)
Defines solitary confinement and prohibits the practice for people with mental illness, children and elderly.

SB463 – “Anti-Voting” Bill
Will slash the number of machines in precincts, and make it easier to reject absentee ballots. For more information: https://indivisiblegeorgiacoalition.org/2020/03/04/voting-rights-theyre-coming-for-your-absentee-ballot/

HB117 – Vote Anywhere in Your County
This bill would allow Election Day voting to be anywhere withing your county of residence, instead of at your assigned voting precinct.

HB487 – Re-Criminalize Hemp
Possession of small amounts of hemp is a misdemeanor. More information: https://hightimes.com/news/georgia-lawmakers-pushing-bill-essentially-re-criminalize-hemp/

Legislative Advocacy Events – March 2020

Want to get involved? This is a roundup of legislative advocacy events for March 2020. Please note that some have admission fees and all events are subject to change due to changes in the legislative calendar. These events are not hosted by us, but these are all great organizations–please check with them for any changes to the schedule. Check out our events calendar for meetings and events hosted by the Fulton County Democratic Party Committee.

Efforts to End Cruel and Unusual Punishment in Georgia – Tues, March 3
9am – 11am, Trinity United Methodist Church, 265 Washington St
Georgia’s criminal legal system is full of cruel and unusual punishments, with practices that include executing people, giving children life sentences, prosecuting children as adults and confining people with serious mental illness to solitary confinement. This advocacy day will provide attendees with information about the current efforts to address these harsh practices and offer specific opportunities for people to advocate for reform to lawmakers. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/468304654055488/

Women in Blue Day at the Capitol – Tues, March 3
8:00 am – 1:30 pm. RSVP to [email protected]
Join the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women at the Capitol to lobby legislators. Start with breakfast and networking, followed by lobbying. Please wear blue!

LGBTQ Lobby Day at the Capitol – Mon, March 9
8:30 am – 12:00 pm, Georgia State Capitol
This event will provide a free training on how to educate state legislators on issues and policies that affect LGBTQ Georgians. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/174241827209068/

Fulton Democrats Day of Action at the Capitol – Tues, March 10
9:00 am – 1:00 pm, CLOB Room 510
Join us at the Coverdell Legislative Building for a quick lobby training, then we’ll walk across the street to “work the ropes.” RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/128094955293743/

Crossover Day – March 12

Mujeres at the Capitol – Wed, March 18
9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Georgia State Capitol
The 2nd Annual Mujeres at the Capitol will be an exciting day were Latinas will have the opportunity to talk to their Representatives about issues that are impacting their community. This is a free event hosted my Georgia Shift, Alpha Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc and the Latino Community Fund. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/614281832673141/

 

Want your group’s event featured here? Email [email protected].