On the first day of early voting in Georgia, a judge halted a controversial new rule that would require hand counting of ballots on November 5. Judge Robert McBurney deemed the rule as “too much, too late” and expressed concerns about the implementation process. The judge believed that the last-minute implementation of the hand count rule could potentially undermine public confidence in the election results. With memories of the January 6 incident still fresh in people’s minds, McBurney emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that could create uncertainty and disorder in the electoral process.
The rule in question, along with other new election rules, was passed in September by the State Election Board with a 3-2 vote, supported by allies of former President Donald Trump. The hand count rule required poll workers to manually count the ballots to ensure consistency with machine-generated counts. The new rules faced opposition from various local and national officials, drawing criticisms from members of both parties, including Republican officials in Georgia. Lawsuits were filed challenging the rule change, with concerns raised about the lack of training and guidelines for implementing the new procedures just days before the election.
During a hearing, attorneys for the Cobb County board argued that implementing the new rules so close to the election could disrupt the election process and potentially discourage voters from participating. They pointed to a memorandum from Georgia’s attorney general warning about the risks of changing rules right before an election. The State Election Board defended the rule change, asserting that training poll workers for the new procedures would not be difficult. However, the judge sided with the Cobb County board, blocking the implementation of the hand count rule in the upcoming election.
Democrats celebrated the judge’s decision, viewing it as a victory for protecting the integrity of the election process and preventing attempts to cast doubt on the results. They criticized the hand count rule as an effort to delay election results and create uncertainty among voters. The ruling by Judge McBurney added to a series of election-related cases he had been overseeing, including one that required election officials to certify results despite fraud concerns. The judge, known for presiding over high-profile cases, is also handling a case brought by the Democratic parties challenging election rules in the state.
The ruling to halt the hand count rule marked a significant moment in the ongoing debate over election integrity and voter access. The decision to block the rule reflected concerns about the rushed implementation of new procedures and the potential impact on voter confidence. With the election just days away, the focus shifted to ensuring a smooth and transparent voting process that upholds the principles of democracy. The legal battles over election rules underscored the importance of clear guidelines and training for poll workers to maintain the integrity of the electoral system.
