Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger recently criticized the State Election Board for considering new rule changes that he believes could undermine the state’s election integrity.
These proposed changes, particularly a rule requiring hand-counting of ballots at polling locations on election night, have been labeled as “misguided” by Raffensperger, who argues that they could delay the reporting of election results and compromise the chain of custody of ballots.
Raffensperger points out that the General Assembly had already enacted comprehensive election reforms through Senate Bills 202 and 189, designed to ensure quick and accurate election results, strengthen security measures, and enhance voter confidence. The proposed rule changes, he argued, could reverse these gains, introducing unnecessary risks and complications into the electoral process.
These proposals come at a time of heightened scrutiny over Georgia’s election procedures, driven by activists aligned with former President Donald Trump, who continue to challenge the integrity of the 2020 election results without evidence. Raffensperger has consistently defended the 2020 election’s integrity.
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“Georgia law already has secure chain of custody protocols for handling ballots, and efforts to change these laws by unelected bureaucrats on the eve of the election introduces the opportunity for error, lost or stolen ballots, and fraud,” Raffensperger said in a statement.
The Secretary of State accused elections board members of attempting to cause problems in the upcoming election. “These misguided, last-minute changes from unelected bureaucrats who have never run an election and seem to reject the advice of anyone who ever has could cause serious problems in an election that otherwise will be secure and accurate,” he said.
In addition to voicing his opposition, Raffensperger mentioned the efforts his office has made throughout the year to ensure that Georgia’s election systems are secure and ready for the next election. This includes conducting audits, site inspections, and coordinating exercises with county officials to reinforce the security of the election process.
