A Republican-led group in Georgia is challenging the State Election Board's new requirement for poll workers to count the total number of ballots by hand. The group, Eternal Vigilance Action, amended its existing lawsuit to include this challenge, arguing that the board is overstepping its legal authority.
The lawsuit, led by former state Rep. Scot Turner, is scheduled for a hearing on October 4th. The new ballot counting rule mandates that three poll workers count the number of ballots at each polling place until all counts match. This rule aims to ensure the accuracy of paper ballots compared to totals recorded by scanners and voting machines.
Proponents of the rule argue that it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the election process. However, critics, including Democrats and voting rights groups, fear that these rules could lead to chaos and undermine confidence in the election results, especially in a crucial swing state like Georgia.
Attorney General Chris Carr's office raised concerns about the rule, stating that it may exceed the board's authority and could face legal challenges. Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and county election officials also cautioned against the rule, citing potential delays in reporting vote totals and weakening ballot custody protections.
Another lawsuit from Democratic groups is challenging the certification rules adopted by the board. The State Election Board has faced criticism for considering new rules proposed by Trump allies, with opponents warning that these rules could fuel conspiracy theories and erode public confidence in election results.
Despite the controversy, Turner emphasized that his lawsuit is driven by constitutional principles, arguing that the board lacks the authority to make laws as it is not an elected body directly accountable to voters. The legal battle over Georgia's election rules is set to continue as the state prepares for the upcoming presidential election in November.
