A Georgia judge has intervened to delay the enforcement of a new rule that would have required hand counting of ballots on election night for the upcoming November election.
The Hill reported that the decision came after concerns of potential confusion and disorder were raised, leading to a pause in the rule's implementation until after the election.
The rule, crafted by the Republican State Election Board, was initially set to be enacted on October 22.
This timeline meant that it would be implemented just two weeks before the election, during a period when early voting was already underway.
Under the rule, three poll workers at each voting facility were to conduct independent counts of ballots until their numbers matched. If the scanner processed more than 750 ballots, a poll manager had the discretion to extend counting to the next day.
These requirements prompted significant pushback from election officials and poll workers. They expressed concerns over the burdensome nature of hand counting, alongside fears of potential errors in the counting process.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger also criticized the rule, describing it as "misguided" and raising warnings about possible delays in reporting results. Training across 444 poll officers in Cobb County alone was cited as a major challenge.
Fulton County Superior Judge Robert McBurney decided to block the rule, emphasizing the risks of disorder from late-stage changes to election procedures. His ruling acknowledged the statutory obligations election boards have to conduct fair, efficient, and uniform elections.
In his judgment, McBurney stated that "pressing pause" serves the public interest, as the election atmosphere remains tense.
Memories of the events of January 6, regardless of perspectives on that day, remain fresh in public consciousness.
The judge noted that introducing uncertainty and potential chaos to the electoral process is not in the public's best interest. His decision stopped short of being final and will be revisited with more detail post-election.
The Democratic National Committee supported the stop on the rule, arguing the policy could delay results and undermine confidence in outcomes.
A statement by DNC leaders praised McBurney's decision, insisting it strengthens democratic principles by preventing tactics that might sow doubt.
Earlier the same day, Judge McBurney ruled that county officials cannot delay or refuse to certify election results, reinforcing his stance on procedural integrity. This ruling reflects a history of controversy, as at least 19 Republican county officials in Georgia have refused to certify results since 2020.
The ongoing debate highlights Georgia's crucial role as a key battleground state. Alongside this decision, McBurney is still evaluating two additional rules proposed by the State Election Board regarding election certification and document review, though no decisions have been made yet.
