The state of Georgia has mandated a hand count of ballots for the upcoming November election, raising concerns about potential delays in the vote counting process. This decision follows a challenging electoral period in 2020 when it took several days to finalize results.
In a narrow 3-2 vote, Georgia’s elections board approved the hand counting measure, facing opposition from state officials and poll workers who expressed concerns over its implementation. During the 2020 election, approximately five million votes were cast for president, with Joe Biden narrowly defeating Donald Trump by around 12,000 votes.
While hand counting ballots is standard practice in many countries, it is a rarely utilized method in U.S. elections. The recently passed rule requires that three poll workers at each of Georgia’s 6,500 precincts begin counting ballots on election night.
Opposition came from Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, who argued that hand counting could introduce errors and increase the risk of lost or stolen ballots. Following the 2020 election, Raffensperger faced pressure from Trump to alter the election results, a situation that has led to ongoing legal repercussions for Trump and some allies.
Despite the concerns, supporters of the hand counting initiative on the Georgia elections board contend that it will enhance election security. Board member Janelle King emphasized the importance of prioritizing accuracy over speed, while opponents, including county elections supervisors and voting rights organizations, cautioned about the potential confusion and delays that could arise from changing the election rules so close to the date.
Early voting in Georgia is set to commence on October 15, with Election Day scheduled for November 5. With ballots already dispatched to military personnel overseas, election supervisor Ethan Compton highlighted that this is not the time for rule changes, stating that such actions could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, John Fervier, the board’s chair, voted against the new rule, sharing concerns over its proximity to the election and the potential for legal challenges regarding the board’s authority to impose hand counting. Critics warn that such a move could complicate the voting process and argue that machine counting is generally more accurate.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this decision remain to be seen, with ongoing debates about election integrity and the impact on voter confidence.
