A judge in Georgia has issued a ruling blocking a new rule that required Election Day ballots to be counted by hand after voting ends. This decision comes after concerns were raised by Democrats, voting rights groups, and legal experts about potential attempts to delay or refuse certification of election results if former President Donald Trump loses to Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
The State Election Board had recently passed a rule mandating that three poll workers manually count paper ballots after polls close. However, a lawsuit filed by the Cobb County election board challenged the validity of this rule, arguing that it exceeded the state board's authority and lacked proper adoption procedures.
The judge's ruling stated that the hand count rule was implemented too late and lacked necessary guidelines and training tools for proper execution. The decision to block its enforcement was made to prevent administrative chaos and ensure fair and orderly elections.
In a separate ruling, the judge emphasized that election officials must certify results by the legal deadline, regardless of any delays in receiving information. The rulings come as early in-person voting commenced in Georgia.
The judge's decisions were celebrated by Democratic groups and the Harris campaign, who viewed the hand count rule as an attempt to sow doubt in the election outcome. The certification ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by a Republican election board member, challenging the discretionary nature of her duties and access to election materials.
The judge clarified that county election officials do not have the authority to determine fraud or refuse certification based on suspicions. The rulings mark a significant legal victory for Democrats and reinforce the importance of upholding election integrity.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging election rules enacted by the State Election Board, reflecting the heightened scrutiny and legal battles surrounding election procedures in Georgia.
