ATLANTA – Georgia’s Democratic Party filed a lawsuit on Monday to block recent rules adopted by the State Election Board that could allow county officials to refuse to certify election results. This move could potentially lead to delays in finalizing the state’s election outcomes.

The lawsuit argues that these rules violate a state law that mandates certification as a duty. It seeks to invalidate the rules as it claims that the State Election Board, now controlled by allies of former President Donald Trump, is overstepping its legal boundaries.

The legal battle over election rules in Georgia comes amidst a backdrop of partisan tension surrounding voting procedures. The lawsuit contends that the rules could lead to chaos post-election and that county officials are required by law to certify results without any discretion.

The lawsuit argues that the rules go against established legal precedents in Georgia that do not allow room for deviation by county officials in the certification process. It asserts that the assumption underlying the rules that certification is discretionary is not supported by Georgia law.

Proponents of the rules argue that they enhance the duty of county election boards to conduct thorough reviews of election results, emphasizing transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

A trio of Republican appointees aligned with Trump currently dominate the five-member State Election Board. While the board does not determine election outcomes, it plays a vital role in setting rules for elections and addressing violations.

The lawsuit challenges the new rules that require county officials to conduct inquiries before certification and allow them to examine all election-related documentation. It contends that dealing with fraud or misconduct should be left to the courts, not county officials during the certification process.