So Gardner is ruling on an issue closely associated with her sister and originally ruled in favor of the group which lists her sister’s organization as its largest contributor. At a minimum, that creates an appearance of a conflict. I can understand Judge Gardner’s view that there is no real conflict. These two very successful women continue to work in the same state. Judge Gardner may have been concerned that a recusal would encourage endless such challenges over tangential links to her sister’s work. Yet, she could have recused while stressing that this is a unique time and a unique set of circumstances. A recusal could have been simply a recognition of the court that her familial tie could undermine confidence in the review.
-- Jonathan Turley, "No Recusal But Now A Reversal? Federal Judge and Sister Of [Stacey] Abrams Changes Order On Georgia Ballots" (JONATHANTURLEY.ORG).