Republican-Led Group Challenges Georgia’s New Voting Rules
A Republican-led group in Georgia is pushing back against the state’s new requirement that poll workers count the total number of ballots by hand. This move is seen as another example of the State Election Board overreaching its legal authority.
Eternal Vigilance Action, founded by former State Rep. Scot Turner, filed an amended lawsuit on Wednesday to challenge the rule adopted by the board last Friday. The group had already been suing the board over rules related to certifying votes.
The lawsuit is set for a hearing on October 4, where Eternal Vigilance Action will ask for the rules to be overturned or put on hold until after the upcoming presidential election in November.
The new ballot counting rule, along with two others concerning the certification of vote totals at the county level, was passed by a board majority consisting of three Republican members. These rules have sparked concerns among Democrats and voting rights groups who fear they could disrupt the election results if President Donald Trump loses to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Turner argues that the State Election Board, as part of the executive branch, is overstepping into legislative territory. He believes that unelected bodies should not have lawmaking authority.
The new rule mandates that the total number of ballots be counted by three poll workers to ensure accuracy. These workers will have to reconcile any discrepancies and document the process carefully.
Attorney General Chris Carr’s office cautioned that the rule may go beyond the board’s authority and could face legal challenges. Turner’s lawsuit aims to address these concerns.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and county election officials have also raised objections to the rule, citing potential delays in reporting vote totals.
Another lawsuit filed by state and national Democratic groups is challenging the certification rules, with a trial scheduled for next week.
As the State Election Board faces scrutiny over its decision-making, critics fear that the new rules could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Overall, the ongoing legal battles underscore the high stakes and contentious nature of the upcoming elections in Georgia.
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