In a controversial decision that could significantly delay election results, the Georgia state election board voted 3-2 to require counties to hand-count ballots cast on Election Day. The move, backed by a pro-Trump majority on the board, has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, including Georgia’s Secretary of State and Attorney General. The decision, which will be in effect for the upcoming November election, has sparked concerns about the efficiency and accuracy of the process.
Hand-Counting of Ballots: A Return to Tradition?
The newly passed rule mandates that poll workers manually count the number of ballots after polls close, a process that critics argue will drastically slow down the reporting of election results. While the rule does not require every vote on the ballot to be counted by hand, election officials still expect delays. Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has been vocal in his opposition to the decision, stating that it will undo years of progress made in speeding up election processes.
“We consider these major changes to the election process,” Raffensperger said. “Everything that we’ve done for the last six years has been to speed up the process to give the voters results quicker, and all of a sudden now they’re adding an element that’s actually going to take longer.”
Legal and Practical Concerns Raised
The vote passed despite warnings from Georgia’s legal counsel. Senior Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Young wrote to the board ahead of the vote, expressing concerns that the rule may exceed the board’s authority and conflict with existing election laws. Young also highlighted that introducing new election rules so close to the November election could have unforeseen negative consequences.
One of the board members who voted in favor of the new rule, Janelle King, dismissed these concerns. “I do not have those concerns at all,” she said. King argued that hand-counting ballots could help prevent disputes over election results, stating that “we won’t have a situation where candidates are saying the count is off or demanding an audit.”
However, critics point to past experiences with hand-counting, such as in Mohave County, Arizona, where staff errors and slow counting times raised doubts about the method’s efficiency. Election officials in Georgia fear similar problems could arise, especially late at night when poll workers may be tired.
A Solution for Transparency or Recipe for Chaos?
Supporters of the hand-counting rule argue that it will help restore public confidence in the election process. In recent years, unfounded claims about voting machine malfunctions have fueled distrust in election results. By counting ballots manually, proponents believe the state can address these concerns and prevent challenges to the integrity of the election.
Opponents, however, argue that the move will create more problems than it solves. Charlotte Sosebee, elections director in Clarke County, warned that the rule could lead to confusion among poll workers and further undermine trust in the election process. “If we do this, are they really going to trust the process?” Sosebee asked, expressing doubts about whether the new system would achieve its intended goal.
Local Impact: Counties Brace for Logistical Challenges
The introduction of hand-counting also presents logistical and financial challenges for counties. Sosebee has already begun training her poll workers to implement the new rule, but she noted that the additional labor hours required to hand-count ballots weren’t accounted for in the county’s budget. Many counties will now have to allocate more resources to pay poll workers and manage the extended process.
In addition to the hand-counting rule, the Georgia election board has recently passed other controversial regulations, including a provision that allows county election boards to conduct “reasonable” inquiries before certifying results. Critics argue that this vague language could open the door to election disputes and further delay results.
What’s Next for Georgia’s Elections?
As the hand-counting mandate goes into effect for the November election, many questions remain. Will the rule delay results in a state that has become a key battleground in U.S. elections? Will it restore confidence in election integrity, or will it create new challenges for election officials and voters?
The controversy over this decision is unlikely to subside anytime soon, especially as Georgia prepares for a high-stakes election in November. With legal challenges and potential logistical issues looming, the outcome of this experiment in hand-counting could shape the future of election processes in the state.
Georgia’s decision to require hand-counting ballots in November has sparked widespread debate, raising concerns about delays, accuracy, and the measure’s effectiveness. While supporters believe it will improve election transparency, critics warn that it may lead to logistical chaos. As the state braces for its next election, the effects of this decision will soon be put to the test.
