A Georgia judge has halted a rule mandating the hand-counting of ballots on election night, a decision made by the Georgia Election Board for election integrity. Democrats objected, fearing delays and uncertainty. Judge McBurney of Fulton County Superior Court deemed the requirement too close to the election, potentially causing disorder. He suggested using a machine with human confirmation on election night instead. The GEB’s lawyers argued that the time needed for hand-counting is exaggerated and does not conflict with certification or reporting unofficial results. McBurney emphasized that while the rule may be beneficial, implementing it abruptly before an election is inappropriate. The decision aims to prevent uncertainty and chaos during a tense election season marred by recent events like January 6.
This ruling sheds light on the intricacies of election processes and the importance of timing in implementing new rules. It serves as a reminder that the public’s interest and trust in the electoral system must be carefully maintained to uphold democracy effectively.