In a move that has sent shockwaves through Georgia’s electoral landscape, allies of former President Donald Trump on the Georgia State Election Board have approved a controversial rule mandating hand-counting of ballots cast at polling places on Election Day despite state laws prohibiting local election workers from hand-counting ballots prior to the official count.
This 3-2 vote, driven by Trump loyalists, has sparked bipartisan outrage and raised urgent questions about the legality and practicality of the decision as the state gears up for the crucial presidential election.
Critics, including Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, have condemned the rule as “unlawful.” Carr’s office warned that state laws prohibit local election workers from hand-counting ballots prior to the official count, stating that the board’s actions are “not tethered to any statute” and could face immediate legal challenges.
“The Board runs substantial risk of intruding upon the General Assembly’s constitutional right to legislate. When such intrusion occurs, the Board rule is highly likely to be ruled invalid should it be challenged,” asserted Elizabeth Young, a senior attorney in Carr’s office.
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Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, has also voiced strong objections, labeling the board a “mess” and warning that the timing of this decision is catastrophic. “We’re too close to the election,” he noted, pointing out that early voting begins in just a matter of weeks.
Early voting in Georgia starts on October 15. But the earliest possible date new rules could take effect if passed is October 14—just 22 days before the General Election.
The passage of this hand-counting rule highlights the growing influence of Trump loyalists in shaping election procedures in Georgia. Janelle King, one of the board members who championed the change, argued that it is necessary to address occasional voting errors. However, many election officials fear that the requirement will overwhelm already strained county election offices, creating confusion and potential misinformation.
Tensions ran high during the board meeting, with heated exchanges among members and public outcry about the potential implications of the new rule. Concerns were raised that if Trump loses Georgia again, he could exploit these hand-counting procedures to dispute the election results.
John Fervier, the independent board chairman who opposed the measure, expressed frustration, stating that the overwhelming majority of election officials are against the initiative. The meeting was a flashpoint for the broader struggle over election integrity and transparency in the state.
With early voting set to commence in three weeks, the implications of this ‘unlawful’ rule could be far-reaching. The reshaping of the election board, following Trump’s push to overturn the 2020 results, signals a troubling shift in Georgia’s electoral governance as the state braces for a potentially contentious election cycle.
