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Inform ★ Engage ★ Empower
August 2025
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Activated Citizenship Starts Here
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"Citizenship is not a spectator sport."
— George Shultz, Secretary of State for Ronald Reagan
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This month, we’re spotlighting Activated Citizenship because defending election integrity starts with showing up. Georgia's elections aren't won just in even-numbered years. They're shaped by what we do right now—in training, turnout and teamwork.
You’re not just a voter. You’re a steward of the process. Let’s build a culture of actively participating in our democracy.
Paul Miller
Editor-in-Chief
This newsletter is a project of the FCRP Election Integrity Team.
🗳️Always Voting. Always Watching. Always Stepping Up.
🧩 Want to plug in? We’ve got easy ways below.
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Thanks to Adaline Kumar, FCRP Secretary, for her tireless efforts in bringing this newsletter series to life.
Send feedback or
Letters to the Editor to:
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Mark your Calendars and
Show up!
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Next Election:
GA Senate District 21 Special Election
(To replace former state senator Brandon Beach)
Only for residents of SD21
🗓️Early Voting: August 4–22
(Milton Library; No Sunday voting)
🗓️Election Day: August 26
Then:
Municipal & Public Service Commission (PSC) General Elections
🗓️Early Voting: October 14-31
🗓️Election Day: November 4
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- Register to vote
- Check your voter ID & district
- Update existing voter registration
- View sample ballots
- Election dates and times
- Poll locations
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In the PSC Primary,
Dems outvoted us
by 8 to 1!
At this rate,
the municipal elections
are at risk.
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🙋♂️ Poll Watch. Poll Work. Win!
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Meet Cathy: A Watcher Who Builds Trust at the Polls
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I taught English for 30 years and always wanted to participate in several activities that retired ladies did, like volunteering at church and at the polls. I retired from teaching right before COVID, thank God! Volunteering as a poll watcher gives me the opportunity to show poll workers that we have a lot in common. I’ve met a lot of nice people while poll watching in south Fulton County. Since God blessed me with a (somewhat) early retirement, I try to give back and help my community.
— Cathy Northcutt, East Point
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In the July PSC runoff, our poll watchers were at all 4 advance voting sites.
Let's continue to maintain 100% coverage.
- By 7/28, volunteer for the SD 21 Special Election.
- By 9/1, volunteer for the fall General Election.
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Be a Poll Watcher
Be present. Document issues.
✔️ Fun, insightful training
✔️ Flexible schedule
✔️ Big impact — eyes of the election
Join the team. We have lots of
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Be a Poll Worker
Don’t just watch the process. Run it.
✔️ Check IDs. Start machines. Close polls.
✔️ You're county trained. You're county paid.
✔️ You're voter trusted.
Join the team. We will help you apply and get placed.
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Always Voting. Always Watching. Always Stepping Up.
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Inside the Process: Officials Doing the Work to Get Elections Right
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Standing Firm, Asking Questions
Leaving Things Better Than He Found Them
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Mike Heekin
Fulton County BRE
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Mike Heekin is retiring from the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections after a year of determined service. When first appointed in July 2023, Mike served alone as the sole Republican on the Board—an uncomfortable and unprecedented situation following the Board of Commissioners’ refusal to seat our other nominee.
Mike didn’t flinch. With persistence and patience, he began to ask questions the Elections Department wasn’t used to hearing—about absentee ballots, chain of custody forms, and the details behind vote tallies. When fellow Republican Julie Adams joined the Board, their quiet insistence began to shift expectations.
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Through Mike and Julie’s efforts, the Board became more engaged, more transparent, and more serious about election oversight. Mike found that even a Democratic majority could be reasoned with—and that reform was possible.
Heading into Election Day 2024, Mike felt the weight of responsibility. But in his own words, he awoke that morning with calm and clarity, hearing God’s voice: “I’ve got this.”
We are grateful to Mike Heekin for his service. He stood firm, he asked the right questions, and he helped make the system stronger.
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UPDATE: The GA Blue Ribbon Committee on Elections has kicked off.
They Want to Hear From You.
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They Want to Hear From You
On July 15, the Georgia House Blue Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures held its first public meeting in Atlanta. Chaired by State Rep. Tim Fleming (R-Covington), the committee is tasked with gathering input on improving election operations statewide — all in planning for one Big Beautiful Georgia Election Integrity Law in 2026.
Testimony included public comment from Fulton resident Earl Ferguson (FCRP Election Integrity Team member), Brad Carver (GOP 6th District Chairman) and Julie Adams (Fulton County BRE member).
The next meeting on August 8 will focus on county election officials; however, public comment can be on any aspect of elections.
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Tim Fleming
(R-Covington)
Committee Chair
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The Study Committee is seeking input on ALL aspects of elections in Georgia.
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Who Votes
Only eligible, living, documented citizens should vote.
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How They Vote
Voting should be simple and accessible, but also secure and legal.
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How Votes Are Counted
Results must be accurate, reconciled and confidently certified.
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Add Your Voice! Don’t wait for the 2026 GA legislature.
The committee is listening now.
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Send written testimony
Include this Subject line:
“Written Testimony for the Blue Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures”
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Attend a meeting
Friday, August 8
Rockmart
Thursday, August 28
Cornelia / Gainesville
Thursday, September 18 Savannah
Thursday, October 2
Covington
Thursday, October 16
Americus
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👉 Be positive. Be specific. Be brief.. 👈
No rants. No form letters. Let YOUR voice be heard.
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