Georgia election board mandates hand count of ballots

Georgia's election board has voted to implement a manual count of ballots in November’s upcoming election, a move that has drawn strong opposition from some election officials and voting rights groups.

The decision, made in a 3-2 vote on Friday, requires a hand count of ballots across the state’s 6,500 precincts, beginning on election night.

The new rule mandated by the Republican-controlled board states that three poll workers in each precinct manually count ballots that have already been scanned by voting machines.

While hand counts are used in many countries, including the UK, they are uncommon in US elections, where machines typically tabulate votes.

Georgia’s decision makes it the only state in the country to incorporate a hand count as part of the routine election process.

Supporters of the measure, including board member Janelle King, argue that hand counting will enhance accuracy and transparency.

“What I don’t want to do is set a precedent that we are okay with speed over accuracy,” King said, defending the rule despite concerns about potential delays.

However, the decision has been met with fierce opposition from election officials, poll workers, and legal experts who warn of logistical challenges, increased errors, and the possibility of undermining public confidence in the voting process.

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State, opposed the move, citing concerns about fraud, lost or stolen ballots, and the introduction of human error.

The state’s attorney general’s office also questioned the board’s authority to implement the rule, with some experts suggesting it may exceed legal boundaries.

Critics have also pointed out that the change is being made too close to the election. With early voting starting on October 15 and Election Day set for November 5, some officials believe there is insufficient time to train poll workers for the new procedures.

“The election has already begun,” Irwin County election supervisor Ethan Compton told the board. “This is not the time to change the rules.”

The decision comes at a time of heightened political tension, as Georgia is expected to be a key battleground in the 2024 presidential election.

In 2020, Joe Biden narrowly won the state by fewer than 12,000 votes, leading to a contentious post-election period in which former President Donald Trump and his supporters made unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud.

Trump's supporters on the election board have argued that the hand count will prevent such claims from resurfacing by ensuring a more secure vote.

The rule has also raised concerns that it could open the door for challenges to election results, potentially delaying certification of the vote.

Voting rights advocates fear that rogue county election officials could exploit the manual count to cast doubt on results they disagree with, creating chaos in the final stages of the election process.

Georgia's elections board chair, John Fervier, was one of two members to vote against the rule, expressing concerns about the timing and legality of the change.

"I do think it's too close to the election," Fervier said, adding that the overwhelming majority of election officials had voiced opposition. He also warned that the board’s decision could face legal challenges.

As Georgia implements this unprecedented rule, the legal and logistical implications remain unclear.

Voting rights organizations have already signaled potential lawsuits, and with early voting fast approaching, the state is preparing for a contentious and closely watched election.