In a move that could significantly impact the timing of election results, Georgia’s GOP-controlled State Election Board approved a controversial new rule on Monday. The measure, known as the “Rule for Reconciliation Prior to Certification,” grants local election officials expanded authority to conduct hand recounts and investigate ballot discrepancies before finalizing election results.
Republicans say the rule, passed by a narrow 3-2 vote among the five-member board, will ensure that the total number of ballots cast matches the number of voters recorded. Supporters argue it will enhance election integrity by addressing potential discrepancies at the precinct level.
The rule was proposed by Salleigh Grubbs, chair of the Cobb County Republicans, who has previously raised concerns about the accuracy of her county’s 2020 presidential election results, though without direct evidence. Grubbs defended the rule as a necessary measure to confirm that every vote is accurately counted and attributed to a legitimate voter.
Opponents, including the board’s lone Democratic member, Sarah Tindall Ghazal, argue that the rule could create unnecessary delays and confusion. Tindall Ghazal expressed her legal concerns, emphasizing that the rule undermines the mandated timeline for certifying results at the county level, which is typically required within a week of the election.
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Voting rights advocates, including the group Fair Fight, have criticized the rule as a potential tool for disrupting the certification process. They warn that if partisan county officials misuse the rule, it could lead to widespread chaos and delay the certification of Georgia’s 2024 election results.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, has also voiced concern, suggesting that the rule could complicate the election process and erode public confidence. Raffensperger criticized the timing of the rule change, noting that it comes as counties are beginning to accept absentee ballot requests.
Grubbs and other supporters maintain that the rule is intended to safeguard election integrity rather than delay certification. They argue that addressing discrepancies promptly will ensure accurate results.
In addition to this new rule, the State Election Board has approved a measure allowing counties to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” to verify the accuracy of vote tabulation and canvassing before certifying results.
The board’s recent actions come amid ongoing scrutiny and legal debates over election procedures. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has stated that his office cannot be compelled to investigate the 2020 election further, marking a setback for those pushing for additional scrutiny of past elections.
With these developments, the Georgia State Election Board’s recent decisions may have significant implications for the upcoming election cycle, as both supporters and critics await how these changes will unfold in practice.
