Supreme Court Blocks Elections for Georgia Public Service Commission

The Supreme Court issued an emergency order Aug. 19 blocking upcoming elections for Georgia’s Public Service Commission, upholding a lower court ruling that found the election rules currently in place discriminate against black voters.
The order is unusual because in recent years the Supreme Court has generally been reluctant to side with voters over state officials in disputes over election rules, especially when the court has been asked to act in an emergency posture.
The state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates electric, natural gas, and telecommunications companies. There are five elected commissioners. Since 1906, commissioners have been elected on a statewide at-large basis….