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.
Georgia State Troopers are planning to increase patrols during the holiday weekend to look out for impaired drivers, seatbelt violations and other offenses.
Georgia State Troopers are planning to increase patrols during the holiday weekend to look out for impaired drivers, seatbelt violations and other offenses.
Friday, May 24 2013 2:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 18:08:48 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:18:36 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. During an emotional sentencing hearing on Friday morning, Parson's mother told the court she still doesn't believe he is the shooter.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:17:11 GMT
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Families of city workers returned to Atlanta City Hall for a second day of protests on Friday. They say they know the city faces budget issues, but they're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:10:59 GMT
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport.
More than a dozen people were hurt Friday morning when an Atlanta airport hotel shuttle bus crashed into a tractor-trailer not far from the airport. FOX 5's Chris Shaw captured cell phone video inside the smashed bus at the scene of the crash.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:52:10 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:38 GMT
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans.
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans. Tyler Head was injured in a high school wrestling tournament in December, and getting back and forth to therapy is a vital to his recovery.