ATLANTA — The Georgia State Election Board has voted to mandate county election officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying election results. This decision may lead to heightened tensions surrounding the approval of election results in Georgia, a critical battleground state ahead of the upcoming elections in November.
Proponents of the new measure argue that county election board members need to ensure the accuracy of election results before certification, emphasizing the importance of oversight in the election process.
“It’s our duty to provide oversight in a reasonable manner,” stated State Election Board member Janice Johnston, reflecting the board’s intention of thorough checks before the certification process.
Conversely, critics of the rule warn that it could precipitate chaos after elections, asserting that the board is violating state law, which mandates that county officials “shall certify” election results based on long-standing judicial precedents. Critics argue that this move could undermine the certification process.
“The proposed rule changes will give local election officials authority to suspend vote counting and resist certification over perceived irregularities, essentially making the certification process subjective,” said House Minority Whip Sam Park. “This could empower partisan election officials to manipulate the election outcome.”
The new rule is slated to take effect in 20 days but may face legal challenges. With only 90 days remaining in the presidential campaign, the controversy over election results certification is intensifying in swing states.
This tension is reminiscent of events surrounding the 2020 elections when efforts were made to prevent election results from being finalized. Such actions were part of broader attempts to contest the legitimacy of the election results, culminating in significant political unrest.
During the 2022 midterms, allegations of voter fraud led to attempts to delay election result certification in several counties, mirroring tactics used in previous elections.
In a rebuttal to concerns about the ambiguity of the term “reasonable,” board member Michael Heekin emphasized its established legal interpretation, asserting that the rule promotes accountability in election practices.
Democrats and voting rights advocates express concern that these new regulations could facilitate future disputes over election results, potentially pitting partisan interests against the will of the voters.
The recent actions of the board come in the wake of a shift in its membership that aligns closely with former President Trump’s political agenda. Trump publicly lauded the board members during a recent rally, highlighting their commitment to election integrity.
Critics are raising alarms over possible conflicts of interest, questioning the board’s credibility and adherence to its own standards for conduct. Nonetheless, board member Janelle King refuted claims of partisan influence, insisting that her decisions are driven by facts and evidence rather than political alignment.
