Georgia Mandates Hand-Counting of Ballots for 2024 Election

The Georgia State Election Board has implemented a significant change to its voting procedures, mandating the hand-counting of all ballots for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. This decision, approved by a 3-2 vote, has ignited a fierce debate about election integrity and efficiency in this crucial battleground state.

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's Secretary of State, expressed strong opposition to the new rule through his general counsel, Charlene McGowan. In a letter to the board, McGowan emphasized the impracticality of implementing such changes at this late stage, stating, "It is simply impossible to implement this change for 2024."

The hand-counting requirement is part of a series of rule changes pushed by a pro-Trump majority on the board. Supporters argue that these measures will enhance transparency and restore public trust in the electoral process. Mary Belle Hodges, a Gwinnett County resident, questioned, "Why aren't public servants allowing us to see the accountability?"

However, critics, including election officials and democracy advocates, have raised numerous concerns:

• Delayed results: Hand-counting could postpone result reporting by weeks or even months.
• Increased errors: Research indicates that hand-counting is generally less accurate than machine tallying.
• Cost implications: The process would require additional staff and resources.
• Security risks: More handling of ballots could compromise the chain of custody.
• Timing issues: The change comes too close to the election, violating the recommended 90-day "quiet period."

Joseph Kirk, elections chief in Bartow County, warned, "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 controversy surrounding this decision is amplified by Georgia's status as a key battleground state. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden secured victory in Georgia by a margin of fewer than 12,000 votes out of approximately 5 million cast.

"It makes me question whether members of this board are operating in good faith. Putting 11, maybe 12 new rules into play days before Election Day is a grift. We are setting up our counties to fail. Why do we know they are going to fail? Because they are telling you that."

The implementation of this rule, along with others recently approved by the board, has raised concerns about potential delays in the certification process. This could have significant implications for the presidential election timeline, as electors are scheduled to convene on December 17, 2024, with the counting of electoral votes set for January 6, 2025.

As the debate continues, legal challenges are expected. A hearing is already scheduled for October 1, 2024, regarding a previously passed rule that could allow counties to delay certification. The outcome of these legal battles and the implementation of the hand-counting requirement will undoubtedly shape the landscape of the 2024 presidential election in Georgia.