Democrats, supported by Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, have filed a lawsuit in Georgia to challenge new election rules that they argue could lead to post-election chaos in the state. The lawsuit targets two rules recently passed by the Georgia State Election Board, allowing election officials to conduct a 'reasonable inquiry' before certifying results and permitting county election board members to investigate ballot counts.
The legal action comes amid escalating tensions over the actions of three Republican members of the state elections board, who have been praised by former President Donald Trump. Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, where he lost by a narrow margin, have fueled controversy over election integrity.
The lawsuit seeks to clarify that election superintendents must certify results by a specified deadline unless a valid court order dictates otherwise. Certification is a crucial step in the voting process to confirm results officially with the secretary of state's office.
The complaint argues that Georgia law mandates election certification as non-discretionary, allowing officials to raise concerns during certification for judicial review but not to delay or deny certification without valid cause.
The lawsuit highlights concerns over the recent actions of newly appointed Republican members on the state election board, raising suspicions of partisan motives in altering election rules close to the general election. Calls for investigation and ethics complaints have been made against these members, emphasizing the need to uphold election integrity and prevent partisan influence on the electoral process.
Georgia state Democrats and voting rights advocates are urging Governor Brian Kemp to address these concerns and ensure the impartiality and integrity of the state election board. The legal battle over election rules in Georgia underscores the broader national debate on election integrity and the role of partisan interests in shaping electoral processes.
