NAACP calls for Brian Kemp resignation in wake of voter registration app investigations

ATLANTA - We have major political fall-out from media investigations of GOP Gubernatorial candidate, Brian Kemp.       

The NAACP, citing the FOX 5 I-Team investigation,  is calling for Kemp's resignation and the ACLU has issued a warning letter to the current Secretary of State.

This, after our I-Team and other media outlets reported Kemp's official Secretary of State voter app linked directly to his campaign social media accounts.

Senior I-Team reporter Dale Russell  says as the criticism continues even though the state has removed the links - as promised.

The voter registration app was updated at some point on July 31st.

The links to Brian Kemp's personal gubernatorial campaign pages are now gone.

But, the NAACP, citing the FOX 5 I-Team report, called the App flap a clear conflict of interest and asked for Kemp's resignation.

And the ACLU was stunned they had to address this issue with Kemp for the second time in four months.

“It was almost kind of jarring and hard to believe when you saw it,” said Sean Young, legal director for the ACLU

Young was surprised to see the official Secretary of State voter registration app had links to the Secretary of State, Brain Kemp's, gubernatorial campaign social media pages.

“You don't have to be a lawyer to know that doesn't smell right at all,” said Young.

The FOX 5 I-Team reported on the controversial taxpayer funded voter registration app Tuesday night.

We downloaded the app and found an easy way to search corporate records, register to vote, or even find where to vote. 

The app could help thousands of Georgians. Including one running for Governor - Brian Kemp. The taxpayer funded app took you to the Brian Kemp for Governor Instagram page, Twitter page and Facebook page.

“It's unnerving to see an official secretary of state office platform being used for campaign purposes,” said Young.

Young says the biggest surprise was four months ago the ACLU asked Kemp to take down similar links on the Secretary of State's web site. At the ACLU's request, Kemp's staff took those links down.  But, the ACLU didn't know at the time about the same links on the app.

“We were surprised that even after we brought this kind of thing to his attention such an egregious use of government resources was still going on,” said Young.

Following our report, Kemp's camp issued a statement saying “This practice is legal and common for elected officials who value accessibility and citizen engagement. However, the links will be removed."

And they were removed sometime on July 31st.

“The Secretary of State is using taxpayer dollars to promote his own campaign. That should unnerve anyone who is concerned about our democracy,” said Young.

We reached out to the Kemp campaign tonight and they had no additional comments.