Georgia Election Board Approves Controversial Ballot Counting Rule as Trump and Harris Face Off

In a pivotal move ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the Georgia State Election Board has approved a contentious rule requiring the hand counting of paper ballots on election night. The decision, which passed narrowly with a 3-2 vote, has drawn sharp criticism from various officials and organizations but has garnered support from conservative factions.

The rule mandates that poll workers count the number of paper ballots at each polling location after voting concludes. This decision came despite opposition from key figures, including the state attorney general, the secretary of state, and an association of county election officials, who voiced concerns about its legality and potential delays in result reporting. Notably, three board members praised by former President Donald Trump voted in favor of the measure.

Critics, including Attorney General Chris Carr, have raised alarms about the rule’s validity, noting that no provision in state law supports hand counting ballots at the precinct level before they are transported to county officials for tallying. Carr’s office stated in a memo that the new rule appears “not tethered to any statute” and may constitute “impermissible legislation.”

According to the new guidelines, three separate poll workers must count the number of ballots until their counts agree. If a precinct’s scanner contains more than 750 ballots at the end of voting, the poll manager has the discretion to postpone counting until the following day.

Board Chair John Fervier, a Republican who opposed the rule, highlighted concerns about its timing and the potential for confusion among poll workers. “It’s too close to the election,” Fervier stated. “It’s too late to train a lot of poll workers.”

While critics have voiced their apprehensions, many conservatives celebrate the decision as a necessary step toward enhancing election integrity. Former Trump spokesperson Liz Harrington described the ruling as “great news” on social media, while Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed her support, stating, “Way to go GA State Election Board!! Thank you for taking every step to fight for election integrity!!”

With approximately five million votes cast in the state during the 2020 presidential election, and early voting accounting for more than half of those ballots, Georgia remains a crucial battleground. Recent polls show a tight race, with former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris virtually tied Trump at 46.9% and Harris at 44.4%.

As the election approaches, the implications of this new rule could significantly impact voter confidence and the timely reporting of results, raising questions about the future of election administration in Georgia.