In a significant blow to efforts aimed at reshaping Georgia’s election process, the state’s highest court has refused to fast-track an appeal that sought to introduce controversial ballot-handling changes ahead of the November 5 presidential election. The ruling leaves in place a decision that prevents county poll workers from conducting hand counts of ballots, a move that could have led to significant delays in certifying election results.
This decision halts a push by Republican figures closely aligned with Donald Trump to alter the election rules in a state that is pivotal in determining the next U.S. president. The proposed changes included the power for local officials to scrutinize election documents and investigate discrepancies in vote counts across precincts. A key provision would have required poll workers to open sealed ballot boxes and perform hand counts, a process that was criticized for potentially fostering chaos.
Voting rights organizations, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, warned that the rule could derail the election process, leading to confusion and the possibility of delayed results. The Georgia Supreme Court’s unanimous rejection of the emergency appeal ensures the rules will not be in place for the upcoming vote, a decision welcomed by those concerned about voter suppression tactics.
The legal battle follows years of controversy surrounding Georgia’s 2020 election, where Trump lost to Joe Biden and repeatedly made false claims of widespread voter fraud. The rules had sparked bipartisan criticism, with Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger labeling them a last-minute disruption that could undermine confidence in the electoral system.
Despite the setback, Trump-aligned Republicans have vowed to press their case further in the new year. With Georgia’s crucial role in the upcoming presidential contest between Democrat Kamala Harris and Trump, the ongoing legal struggle underscores the intense scrutiny on the state’s election practices.
