Last week, in a contentious decision, Georgia’s State Election Board approved a rule that mandates the hand counting of paper ballots by poll workers after polls close. This move, passed by a vote of 3-2, has drawn criticism from various stakeholders who argue it could hinder the timely reporting of election results on election night.
The ruling contradicts advice from the state attorney general, the secretary of state, and county election officials, who all expressed concerns regarding its legality and potential impact. Attorney General Chris Carr’s office stated in a memo that there is no existing statute in Georgia law that supports such a hand counting requirement, labeling the rule as likely unlawful and potentially subject to legal challenges.
This decision comes amid a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over election practices in Georgia. Opponents of the new rule fear it could lead to confusion and undermine public confidence in election outcomes, particularly if results are close in the upcoming elections.
The new procedure requires that three poll workers count the number of ballots at each polling location, with the counting process continuing until all counts match. If the number of ballots exceeds 750, the poll manager may opt to postpone the counting until the following day. Critics, including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, have voiced concerns that this could prolong the reporting of election results and complicate the chain of custody for the ballots.
Additionally, the Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials has raised alarms about the additional burdens this rule would impose on poll workers already facing long hours. The association emphasized the need for rules that are practical and lawful, noting that new regulations so close to an election could cause unnecessary complications.
Supporters of the hand counting rule argue that it serves to ensure the integrity of the ballot count by reconciling the number of paper ballots with electronic tallies. However, several election officials warn that the delay in reporting could overshadow the intended accuracy, with concerns that some polling places may wait to send in their electronic results until the hand counting is fully completed.
The board also considered multiple other rule changes during its meeting but chose to table a similar hand counting proposal for early voting until 2025. With litigation already in motion against previous rules passed by the board, the ongoing debate over election procedures in Georgia remains a hot topic as Election Day approaches.
