More than four dozen foreign officials are being dispatched to the U.S. next week to monitor the presidential election, including two in Atlanta.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe says the action is needed because of an "unprecedented and sophisticated level of coordination to restrict voting rights in our nation."
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp met with the United Nations-affiliated group and says he believes that they are not here to get involved in the state's business.
"I think that is the wrong impression that people have gotten. They're not here trying to tell us what to do. They're trying to learn about our decentralized process," said Kemp.
The organization's website says more than 40 election observers are here in the U.S.
"Observers will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant federal and state institutions, implementation of the legislative framework, and the resolution of election disputes," the website states.
Some voters told FOX 5's Justin Gray that sounds like more than just learning and observing.
"I think we are capable of solving our own problems," said Cathy Mull.
Kemp says if the election monitors step over the line, there will be consequences.
"Listen, we've got laws that protect the polling locations and I can assure all Georgia citizens that if someone tries to disrupt any polling locations, whether these folks, poll watchers, people that are monitoring the elections – anybody, we'll take care of that and it's actually a felony," Kemp said.
Kemp says that he believes the observers have been to Georgia, visited a couple counties and left. He doesn't believe that they will be in the state on Tuesday. But he says anyone who believes they see something improper going on in a polling place should immediately contact his office.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:19:10 GMT
A police officer, a deputy and a nurse are being called heroes for saving an elderly man's life.
A police officer, a deputy and a nurse are being called heroes for saving an elderly man's life. The man had a medical emergency and the three first-responders were in the right place at the right time.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:27:20 GMT
Georgia's right to life group is in a dispute with the national pro-lifers.
Georgia's right to life group is in a dispute with the national pro-lifers. The Georgia group has campaigned against a new far-reaching House bill on abortion because it says that the bill doesn't save enough lives.
