Georgia's State Election Board's recent decision has sparked controversy over how ballots will be counted in the upcoming election. Many are worried that this could lead to delays and confusion during the voting process.

According to an NPR report, the board approved a new rule mandating hand counts of Election Day ballots despite opposition from key state officials and local election administrators.

The newly approved rule on September 20, 2024, requires poll managers and two poll officers at each precinct to manually count the number of paper ballots in ballot boxes.

This count will then be compared to the total generated by ballot scanners. The measure passed with support from the board's Republican members, overriding objections from Georgia's Republican Secretary of State and Attorney General.

Hand Count Mandate Sparks Controversy Among Election Officials

John Fervier, the nonpartisan chair of the State Election Board, expressed reservations about the decision, warning of potential legal consequences. His concerns were echoed by numerous local election officials who testified against the hand count requirement.

Many election administrators voiced apprehension about the late-stage rule change, noting that poll worker training was already underway in several counties. They argued that introducing new procedures so close to the election could lead to confusion and delays.

Ethan Compton, elections supervisor in Irwin County, emphasized the extensive preparations already made based on existing rules:

Over 200 pages of election code and rules have been implemented since 2020. We have practiced on them, we have trained, we are prepared, we are ready. Do not change this at the last second.

Debate Over Election Integrity And Procedure Continues

Supporters of the new rule, including Sharlene Alexander, a Republican member of the Fayette County Elections Board, defended the measure as a simple verification process. They argue that the hand count provides an additional layer of scrutiny to ensure accurate ballot tallies.

However, election experts have consistently maintained that machine tabulation is both faster and more reliable than manual counting.

The push for hand counts has gained traction among some conservative groups in recent years, although this particular rule focuses on ballot quantity rather than individual contest results.

The Georgia Attorney General's office advised against implementing the hand count rules, citing potential legal issues.

In a letter to the board, Senior Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Young cautioned:

These proposed rules are not tethered to any statute — and are, therefore, likely the precise type of impermissible legislation that agencies cannot do.

Additional Election Rule Changes And Future Considerations

While the Election Day hand count rule was approved, the board tabled a similar proposal for advance voting ballots. Republican board member Janelle King suggested revisiting this and other proposals after the 2024 election.

In total, the board voted on 11 rule changes, with six receiving approval. These include granting poll watchers increased access during vote tabulation, requiring daily posting of county-level ballot cast numbers, and mandating public posting of reconciliation reports on county websites.

The recent actions by Georgia's State Election Board have intensified scrutiny on election administration in the state.

Following the 2020 election, Georgia became a focal point for unsubstantiated claims of fraud, and it is expected to play a crucial role as a swing state in the 2024 presidential race.

Conclusion

The Georgia State Election Board's approval of a mandatory hand count for Election Day ballots has sparked controversy and raised concerns among election officials. The decision, made despite opposition from key state officials, mandates manual counting of paper ballots at each precinct.

Critics worry about potential delays and confusion, while supporters argue it adds a layer of verification to the election process. As Georgia prepares for its role as a crucial swing state in the 2024 election, the impact of this last-minute rule change remains to be seen.