Georgia’s State Election Board recently approved a new rule that requires poll workers to count paper ballots by hand after voting is completed. Despite opposition from the state attorney general’s office, secretary of state’s office, and county election officials, the board voted to approve the measure. This decision has raised concerns among critics that it could delay the reporting of election night results.
The hand counting rule was supported by three Republican board members, while the lone Democrat and nonpartisan chair voted against it. Critics fear that the new rule, proposed by Trump allies, could be used to create chaos and undermine public confidence in the election results.
The rule requires the number of paper ballots to be manually counted by three poll workers at each precinct to ensure accuracy. Proponents say this will help ensure that the paper ballots match the electronic tallies.
Opponents of the rule, including election officials and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, have raised concerns about potential delays in reporting results and additional burdens on poll workers. Democratic and Republican election officials alike have expressed worry that the rule could ultimately undermine confidence in the election process.
Despite these concerns, the board moved forward with the new rule. Some officials argue that prioritizing accuracy over speed is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the election process. The board also decided to delay a proposal for a similar count at early in-person voting locations until 2025.
The decision comes amidst legal challenges and controversies surrounding new election rules proposed in Georgia. The State Election Board has faced criticism for considering rules that could be exploited by political operatives to sow doubt in election results.
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