Harris Campaign Sues to Halt Georgia Rule Changes Cited as ‘Chaos’

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign has aligned with the Democratic Party of Georgia in a concerted effort against the Republican-controlled state election board. This comes after the board introduced a set of changes aimed at granting local officials increased authority, which critics warn could lead to “11th-hour chaos” due to fears of delays in election certification. Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has raised alarms over the potential consequences of these changes.

The Democratic Party of Georgia, along with the Democratic National Committee and the Harris-Walz campaign, is now seeking intervention from a state court. They allege that the election board’s modifications have created an “uncertain legal regime” that could disrupt the electoral process.

The lawsuit states, “Indeed, county officials across Georgia have already sought to block or delay certification after recent elections, and the amended rules give them new tools to try again.” The petitioners are calling for a court order that mandates the certification of election results by 5 p.m. on November 12 unless a valid judicial order dictates otherwise, aiming to prevent delays from what they describe as rogue officials. They also want the court to clarify that it is the designated venue for resolving election disputes, not local boards.

Earlier this month, the Republican-controlled election board enacted a rule that allows local boards to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying election results. Advocates for this rule change believe it will enhance transparency in the electoral process. However, opponents argue that the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes a “reasonable inquiry” could enable local officials to interpret this flexibly, potentially delaying or preventing results from being certified based on unfounded challenges.

In a recent meeting, the board adopted another rule that mandates investigations into any ballot discrepancies prior to county certification. This new directive requires local election board members to compare the total number of ballots cast with the total number of unique voter ID numbers in each precinct. If a discrepancy arises, local officials are responsible for investigating, and no votes from that precinct will be counted during the investigation.

Quentin Fulks, principal deputy campaign manager for Harris-Walz, criticized the Republican actions, stating that “for months, MAGA Republicans in Georgia have been laying the groundwork to challenge the election results when they lose again in November.” He emphasized the importance of election certification as a legal requirement, asserting that unelected extremists cannot choose to disregard votes.

Meanwhile, the Georgia Republican Party has defended the new rules, claiming that they do not hamper anyone’s voting rights or impose undue burdens on election workers. Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon stated that these reforms are aimed at bolstering transparency, accountability, and accurate reporting.

Despite their defense, some Republicans share concerns regarding the modifications to election procedures. Raffensperger has been working to reassure the public about the integrity of the certification process. He reiterated that Georgia’s Election Integrity Act compels counties to certify their results by November 12, expressing confidence that they will comply.

Raffensperger has voiced opposition to last-minute changes, arguing that they undermine voter confidence and burden election workers. He noted that the General Assembly had emphasized the importance of prompt reporting and certification in the wake of the 2020 election by passing a new law. “Misguided attempts by the State Election Board will delay election results,” he added.

The three Republican members of the state election board—Janelle King, Rick Jeffares, and Janice Johnston—have played crucial roles in implementing these election changes. In a recent rally, former President Trump praised these members as “pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency, and victory.” Trump continues to scrutinize Georgia’s election processes following his narrow loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election, which he attempted to contest by pressuring state officials.

These efforts contributed to a sweeping racketeering indictment in Fulton County, where Trump and 18 co-defendants are accused of trying to subvert the will of Georgia voters. Several defendants have taken plea deals in exchange for their testimony. However, the Georgia Court of Appeals recently paused the criminal proceedings as they consider an appeal related to the case, which could affect the ongoing disputes surrounding Georgia’s election laws.