The GOP wins again.
In a significant move ahead of the November 5 elections, Georgia’s election board voted to implement a mandate for hand-counting ballots three times before any results are finalized. This decision, passed by a 3-2 vote among the board’s conservative majority, reflects growing concerns about election integrity in the wake of the contentious 2020 presidential election.
Former President Donald Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with how Georgia managed its election, continually asserting—though without evidence—that he actually won the state. In 2020, President Joe Biden secured a narrow victory, receiving 49.5% of the votes to Trump’s 49.2%.
The newly instituted hand-counting process aims to enhance the security, transparency, and accuracy of ballot counting. According to the motion, three sworn poll officers will independently count each ballot to ensure consistency. If their counts match, the results will be certified, and the ballot boxes will be sealed once again. This thorough approach marks a departure from the common reliance on tabulation machines, potentially leading to delays in declaring results by days or even weeks.
In addition to the hand-counting requirement, other proposals are being considered to boost election transparency, including expanding access for partisan poll watchers. While supporters argue these changes will restore confidence in the electoral process, critics warn that they may favor Trump and disrupt established protocols.
Georgia’s Attorney General has cautioned that the board’s actions may exceed its statutory authority, raising alarms among voting rights advocates. Sophia Lakin from the ACLU emphasized the potential risks these last-minute changes pose to timely certification and the voting rights of citizens.
As early voting approaches—set to begin on October 15—concerns about voter fraud have already surfaced, with the Georgia Election Integrity Coalition echoing Trump’s allegations. In light of this charged atmosphere, election officials in Georgia and other battleground states are ramping up security measures for poll workers, ensuring that the democratic process remains safeguarded amidst heightened scrutiny.
