The Republican National Committee (RNC) is celebrating after GOP poll watchers were allowed into four blue-leaning counties’ election offices for extended absentee ballot hours this weekend. This move came after federal and state GOP groups threatened to sue Fulton County and other counties for allowing absentee ballot submissions over the weekend.
Republicans accused Fulton County of not allowing any public observers into the locations open on the weekends, which they argued was against Georgia's election observer laws. However, following their efforts, poll watchers have now been granted access in all four Georgia counties.
RNC co-chair Lara Trump confirmed that observers would be allowed in the room while ballots are being processed. The exclusion of poll watchers from the weekend absentee ballot submission hours was not limited to the GOP but included all observers, according to Republicans.
The RNC spokesperson highlighted that having public poll observers through the weekend benefited both Republicans and Democrats. They emphasized that their absence would hurt the GOP more in left-leaning areas.
The Friday night lawsuit threat stemmed from election officials' decision to open four election offices over the weekend to accommodate voters seeking to hand-return their absentee ballots. Republicans argued that this move violated Georgia law, which states that drop boxes should be closed when the advance voting period ends.
Democrats have accused Republicans of trying to create chaos and uncertainty in Georgia's election processes, particularly in blue-leaning counties like Cobb and Fulton. This controversy follows a recent court case where Republicans sought to force Fulton County to hire more GOP poll workers for Election Day.
While the judge declined to order emergency measures to increase the number of Republican poll workers, the case will be further examined. The ongoing disputes highlight the intense scrutiny and legal battles surrounding election procedures in Georgia.
