Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is celebrating a Georgia judge’s decision to temporarily block a rule that would have required election officials to hand count ballots after they had been machine-tabulated. The rule, which was set to go into effect on October 22, was seen as an effort to delay election results and sow doubt in the outcome. Democrats, including Georgia Democratic Party Chair Rep. Nikema Williams and DNC acting Co-Executive Director Monica Guardiola, hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy. The State Elections Board (SEB) had passed the rule in a 3-2 vote, but now faces legal challenges.
The ruling was criticized by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who did not take issue with the intent of the rule but questioned the timing and lack of training for election workers. McBurney noted that no training had been implemented to prepare election workers for the new procedure and no funds had been allocated for that purpose. He expressed concerns about the potential for administrative chaos and emphasized the need for fair, legal, and orderly elections. Democrats have argued that the rule was designed to create division and uncertainty in the presidential election in Georgia, which was decided by a slim margin in 2020.
Georgia Republican Party officials and allies of former President Trump had defended the rule as a necessary measure to increase voter confidence in the election process. However, McBurney criticized the handling of paper ballots multiple times by multiple people after Election Day, noting that it did not contribute to lessening tension or boosting public confidence. The ruling has underscored the partisan divide over election rules and procedures, with state and national Democrats opposing the new measure. The judge’s decision to block the rule has been seen as a win for those fighting to ensure that every vote cast in Georgia will count.
The joint statement released by Democrats expressed their commitment to continuing the fight to safeguard voters’ right to cast their ballot knowing that it will be counted. The ruling has also highlighted the challenges posed by last-minute changes to election procedures, with McBurney criticizing the SEB for making changes so close to Election Day without proper training or funding. The ruling comes amidst ongoing legal battles over election rules and changes in Georgia, with both parties and interest groups actively involved in shaping the state’s electoral landscape. The ruling also reflects the intense focus on Georgia as a key battleground in national politics, with significant implications for upcoming elections.
