The Georgia State Election Board voted on Friday to require counties to hand-count all ballots for the upcoming 2024 election, and the move, which passed with a 3-2 vote, has stirred significant debate.

The board’s Republican majority spearheaded the decision, which will see ballots counted manually on the night of November 5, in addition to machine tallies, as the Washington Examiner reports.

This new rule has divided opinions, with some praising the effort for transparency and others warning it could lead to delays, errors, and increased costs.

Proponents of the rule, including supporters of former President Donald Trump, believe the decision will help address concerns over voter fraud. Trump’s allies have argued that the hand count will ensure accuracy in the vote totals, particularly in a state that played a key role in the 2020 election. On social media, Liz Harrington praised the rule as a “HUGE win,” citing concerns that the results from voting machines needed verification.

Critics Raise Concerns About Delays and Costs

However, the decision has faced heavy criticism from election officials and democracy advocates, who argue that the hand-counting process could be prone to errors and might take much longer than expected. Ethan Compton, one of the critics, emphasized that the election process was already underway and said, “This is not the time to change the rules.”

Election officials like Joseph Kirk have warned that requiring poll workers to hand-count ballots would only lead to confusion and errors. “Requiring poll workers to hand-count ballots … will do nothing more than provide exhausted patriots with an opportunity to undermine public confidence through an honest mistake,” he said. These concerns are not unfounded, as the state experienced delays in 2020 during a post-election hand recount, which took weeks to finalize and certify.

Supporters Argue the Rule Increases Transparency

On the other hand, advocates like Sharlene Alexander believe the rule is necessary to ensure transparency in the election process. Alexander and others have stated that having both a machine tally and a hand count will provide an extra layer of assurance, helping verify the accuracy of the vote totals. Trump himself commended the board’s Republican members for their efforts, referring to them as “pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency, and victory.”

But concerns go beyond just the logistics of the hand count. Opponents fear that the manual counting process could stretch on for weeks or even months, leaving the results of the presidential election in limbo. These delays could have far-reaching consequences, especially with the country’s attention on Georgia as a potential swing state.

Legal Risks and Precedent Raise Alarm

One significant point of contention is whether the timing of the rule change is legally sound. Critics have pointed to federal court precedents that advise against making substantial changes to election rules within 90 days of an election. John Fervier, chairman of the election board, acknowledged this concern, warning that the rule change went against the advice of their legal counsel.

Janelle King, however, dismissed these concerns, stating that discussing the legality of the rule only invites lawsuits. “I have to point out that every time you make a statement that this could be against the law, you are welcoming lawsuits, lawsuits that will be dismissed, lawsuits that we know will be dismissed,” King said, downplaying the risk of any legal challenges holding up the rule’s implementation.

October Trial Looms Over Election Rule Changes

Adding to the complexity is an upcoming trial scheduled for Oct. 1 that will address rule changes made by the election board last month. The Democratic National Committee has filed a lawsuit, arguing that the changes could disrupt the post-election process and lead to delays in certifying the election results. This trial will be live-streamed, adding further visibility to the ongoing legal and political battle surrounding Georgia’s election procedures.

At the center of this lawsuit are two key rules: the “reasonable inquiry rule” and the “examination rule.” These rules require that vote certification only happen after a thorough review of the vote tabulation and allow board members to examine documents before certifying results. The DNC argues that these changes could exacerbate delays and complicate the post-election process.

Previous Hand Count in Georgia Sparks Comparisons

The memory of the 2020 election recount in Georgia looms large over the current debate. In 2020, the state conducted a statewide hand recount six days after Election Day. The results were not certified until Nov. 20, raising concerns that a similar delay could occur in 2024. Critics worry that a drawn-out hand-counting process will further erode public confidence in the election process, particularly in such a politically charged climate.

Supporters, however, argue that the new rule simply provides an extra safeguard to ensure accuracy. Sharlene Alexander and others maintain that having both machine tallies and hand counts will only enhance the transparency of the election process, giving voters more confidence in the final result.

Potential for Delays and Disruptions

The potential for delays and disruptions in certifying election results remains a key issue. Opponents of the new rule argue that by requiring manual counts, the state could face a repeat of the 2020 delays, or worse. Some fear that the certification of results could take weeks or even months, leading to uncertainty in the outcome of the presidential race.

Fervier has also expressed concerns about the risks of moving forward with this rule against legal counsel’s advice. The possibility of legal challenges and delays could complicate an already tense election season.

Conclusion

In summary, the Georgia State Election Board's decision to require a hand count of ballots alongside machine tallies for the 2024 election has ignited debate.

Proponents argue it will improve transparency and address concerns of voter fraud, while critics warn of potential delays, errors, and increased costs.

With legal challenges looming and a trial set for Oct. 1, the rule's impact on the election process remains to be seen. All eyes will be on Georgia as the 2024 election approaches.