A crucial swing state has ignited controversy with a new election rule that could significantly impact the upcoming presidential race.
According to Fox News, the Georgia State Election Board has approved a controversial measure requiring the hand counting of paper ballots on election night.
The new rule mandates that poll workers manually count the number of paper ballots after voting concludes. This process must be performed by three separate poll workers until all three counts match. For ballot scanners containing more than 750 ballots at the end of voting, poll managers have the discretion to postpone the count until the following day.
The decision has met with strong opposition from several key state offices. The state attorney general's office, the secretary of state's office, and an association of county election officials have all voiced their concerns about the new measure.
In a memo addressed to election board members, the office of state Attorney General Chris Carr argued that the rule lacks a legal foundation. The memo stated that no provision in state law permits counting ballots by hand at the precinct level before they are transferred to the county election superintendent for tallying.
Consequently, the attorney general's office suggests that the rule is "not tethered to any statute" and may constitute "impermissible legislation" that agencies are prohibited from enacting.
John Ferrier, the Republican chair of the election board, voted against the rule. He cited widespread opposition from election officials, stating, "I do think it's too close to the election. It's too late to train a lot of poll workers."
Despite the opposition from state officials, the measure has garnered support from conservative circles. The three board members who voted in favor of the rule were previously praised by former President Donald Trump during a rally in Atlanta last month.
On social media, several conservative figures expressed their approval of the decision. Former Trump spokesperson Liz Harrington described it as "great news" on the platform X. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also celebrated the move, posting, "YES!!! Way to go GA State Election Board!! Thank you for taking every step to fight for election integrity!!"
Critics of the new rule argue that it could significantly delay the reporting of election results in Georgia. With approximately five million votes cast in the 2020 presidential race statewide, more than half during early voting, the manual counting process could prove time-consuming.
The timing of the rule change has also raised concerns. With the presidential election rapidly approaching, there are worries about the feasibility of adequately training poll workers to implement the new procedures effectively.
Recent polling data underscores the importance of Georgia in the upcoming election. Current figures show a tight race between former President Trump and Vice President Harris, with Trump holding a slight edge at 46.9% compared to Harris's 44.4%.
The Georgia State Election Board's decision to require hand counting of ballots has sparked a heated debate about election integrity and efficiency. While supporters view it as a step towards ensuring accurate results, critics worry about potential delays and implementation challenges. As the 2024 presidential election draws near, all eyes will be on Georgia to see how this controversial rule impacts the voting process in this crucial swing state.
