Georgia’s State Election Board recently passed a new rule granting county election boards the authority to request additional information and conduct inquiries before certifying election results. This rule change, implemented 91 days before the presidential election, has raised concerns among Democrats, including board member Sara Tindall Ghazal, who fear potential delays in result certification.
The decision, passed with a 3-2 vote, saw board Chairman John Fervier, appointed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp, siding with Ghazal against the rule. The board also approved an increase in the number of poll watchers allowed during the tabulation process but rejected new rules for hand-marked paper ballots.
Former President Donald Trump voiced support for the Republican board members, drawing criticism from Democrats who worry about partisan influence. Despite this, Republican members like Janelle King defended the rule change, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the election process.
State Rep. Sam Park, a Democratic minority whip, accused the board of potentially disrupting election result certification by introducing conflicting rules. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who previously chaired the board, expressed discontent with its current state.
Two Republican former secretaries of state cautioned against last-minute rule changes, citing concerns about public distrust in elections. Ghazal emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the election process amidst the ongoing debate over rule modifications.
