ATL Standard

An Atlanta court judge has rejected an appeal by a group of voters and upheld the Georgia Secretary of State’s decision paving the way for U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene to remain eligible in appearing on the ballot in her run for reelection.

Fox5Atlanta.com reports five voters from Taylor-Greene’s district had sought to have her removed from the ballot, arguing that she played a significant part in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol that disrupted Congress’ certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.

Those seeking to have Taylor-Greene disqualified argued such action is a violation of a rarely invoked provision in the 14th Amendment against insurrection or rebellion.

Represented by Free Speech for People, a national election and campaign finance reform group, the voters moved to file their complaint in March with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. As part of the process, Taylor-Greene was subjected to a daylong hearing in April, where she faced countless questions before Georgia Administrative Law Judge Charles Beaudrot.

On May 6, Beaudrot rendered his verdict, with Raffensperger moving soon thereafter to affirm his decision.

As part of their appeal, the voters argued that Beaudrot made four legal errors, and ruled "with minimal legal analysis."

The challenge to Greene’s eligibility was based on a section of the 14th Amendment that specifically says no one can serve in Congress "who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress ... to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same."

Now set to face Democrat Marcus Flowers in November’s general election, Greene won about 70% of the vote in the May Republican primary, easily knocking off the five challengers appearing on the ballot against her.