In a recent turn of events a Georgia judge has invalidated seven election rules‚ sparking a quick response from the Republican party. The ruling‚ made on 10/16/2024 by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas Cox‚ declared these rules “illegal unconstitutional and void“. Judge Cox stated that the State Election Board lacked the authority to implement such measures
The Republican National Committee and Georgia Republican Party wasted no time in challenging the decision. On 10/17/2024‚ they filed an emergency appeal with the Georgia Supreme Court. Michael Whatley‚ RNC Chairman‚ expressed strong disapproval of the ruling‚ labeling it as “judicial activism“. He argued that the invalidated rules were crucial for maintaining election integrity
The lawsuit leading to this decision was brought forth by Eternal Vigilance Action an organization led by former Republican state representative Scot Turner. Turner contended that the State Election Board had overstepped its bounds in adopting these rules. In response to the GOPʼs appeal‚ he remarked: “Seeing the Republican Party argue that unelected bureaucrats should have the power to make new law is certainly a departure from traditional conservative values“
The invalidated rules covered various aspects of the election process including:
- Hand-counting of ballots post-poll closure
- Certification of election results
- Requirements for absentee ballot delivery
- Video surveillance of ballot drop boxes
- Positioning of partisan poll watchers
- Daily updates on early voting numbers
Critics of these rules particularly county election officials‚ had expressed concerns about implementing such changes so close to Election Day (scheduled for 11/5/2024). They worried about potential delays in result reporting and increased burden on poll workers
Supporters of the hand-counting rule argued it would ensure accuracy without significantly impacting result reporting times. However Judge Cox found no legal basis for this requirement stating that Georgia laws “proscribe the duties of poll officers after the polls close Hand counting is not among them“
The certification rules‚ introduced in August 2024‚ also faced scrutiny. These rules required county officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry“ before certifying results and allowed them to examine all election-related documentation. While supporters claimed these measures were necessary for accuracy critics feared they could be used to delay or deny certification
As the appeal process unfolds‚ the outcome of this legal battle will significantly shape the landscape of Georgias upcoming election