Georgia Board to Vote on Controversial Ballot Hand-Count Rule

In a move that could significantly impact the upcoming presidential election, the Georgia State Election Board is poised to vote on a controversial measure requiring hand-counting of all ballots. This decision, scheduled for September 20, 2024, has raised concerns among election officials and critics about potential delays and challenges in reporting results.

The proposed rule change comes from a new right-wing majority that assumed control of the board in May 2024. These members, supporters of former president Donald Trump, advocate for measures they claim will enhance election security and transparency. However, critics argue that these changes could introduce chaos and uncertainty into the electoral process in Georgia, a key battleground state.

John Fervier, the board chairman opposing the new rules, expressed concern about the hasty implementation of these changes. He stated, "We're passing these things without really listening to people. This board should take a more deliberative approach."

The hand-counting proposal, if approved, would require counties to manually tally votes in addition to machine counts. This process could potentially delay result reporting by weeks or even months. Research has consistently shown that hand-counting is less accurate and more time-consuming than machine tallies.

Local election officials have voiced their apprehensions about the practical implications of these new rules. Bill Stump, chairman of the Troup County Board of Elections and Registration, highlighted concerns about the availability of election observers at every precinct.

"Requiring poll workers to hand count ballots after the close of polls will do nothing more than provide exhausted patriots with an opportunity to undermine public confidence through an honest mistake."

The board's actions have drawn criticism from various quarters, including the office of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In a strongly worded letter, Raffensperger's office denounced the timing of the proposed changes, noting that ballots have already been printed and some counties have begun mailing absentee ballots.

Legal challenges are expected if the board adopts additional rules. Democrats have already filed a lawsuit over a previously passed rule that could potentially delay result certification.

As the November 5, 2024, election day approaches, the controversy surrounding these proposed changes underscores the ongoing debates about election integrity and the balance between security measures and efficient vote counting. The outcome of this vote could have far-reaching implications for the presidential contest in Georgia, a state where the margin of victory in 2020 was fewer than 12,000 votes out of approximately 5 million cast.