Trump-Approved Georgia Election Changes May Fuel ‘Doubt and Suspicion’

In the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election, three Republican members of the Georgia State Election Board are instituting new election rules that have prompted concerns from officials and experts across both major political parties. Critics warn that these changes could introduce misinformation and chaos during the upcoming November election, with some even fearing potential alterations to election outcomes. There is speculation that the board may implement additional modifications before Election Day.

“They are a mess,” stated Georgia Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in an interview regarding the board’s efforts to revise vote certification requirements so close to the election.

One of the most significant changes, passed on August 19, mandates that counties investigate any discrepancies, no matter how minor, between the number of ballots cast and the number of voters recorded in a precinct before certifying election results. Critics are concerned this could lead to delays or even failures in certifying results.

“Any effort to delay is an opportunity to sow doubt, suspicion, and accusations, and we witnessed that in 2020,” remarked Kathy Boockvar, a Democrat who served as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth from January 2019 to February 2021.

This controversial rule was implemented shortly after Raffensperger publicly criticized the board’s ongoing actions so close to the election. He emphasized that changing election procedures right before an election undermines voter confidence and adds unnecessary burdens to election workers.

The board’s decisions have led to a legal challenge from Georgia Democrats and county election officials, who seek a court ruling to clarify that state deadlines for certifying results remain mandatory despite the recent rule changes.

Next month, the board plans to consider a requirement that local officials manually hand-count every ballot before certifying the results, adding another layer of complexity to the December election process.

The three Republicans on the five-member board—Dr. Janice Johnston, Rick Jaffares, and Janelle King—formed a majority in May when King replaced a board member who resisted certain changes intended to challenge Joe Biden’s 2020 election win in Georgia. Since forming the majority, they have drawn praise from former President Donald Trump for their aggressive approach in modifying Georgia’s voting procedures as the election nears.

Despite the uproar, the new rules do not permit local election officials to extend certification beyond Georgia’s legal deadline of six days after Election Day. The rule passed on August 19 explicitly states that results must be certified by this deadline.

In response to the criticism, board member Janelle King affirmed that the board aims to enhance the certification process. “My mission is not to alter the outcomes of past elections but to ensure every vote is counted accurately, and every election is conducted correctly going forward,” she stated, expressing offense at what she described as unfounded accusations.

Critics of the new rules assert that their vague nature may lead to delays. For example, the rule requiring a “reasonable inquiry” prior to certifying results lacks a clear definition, leaving election officials without concrete guidance on what constitutes reasonable inquiry.

According to Kim Wyman, a former Republican Secretary of State in Washington, these last-minute changes feel akin to “changing the rules in the last game of the World Series.” She emphasized that any modifications to election laws less than 90 days from an election can hinder election officials’ abilities to adequately prepare. The Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials, which represents over 500 election officials in the state, has urged the board to cease adopting new rules while training and preparations for the upcoming election are underway.

Concerns over delays and possible chaos have only intensified with the introduction of the rule mandating investigations of discrepancies. Critics point to the additional workload planned for local officials and the ambiguity surrounding election procedures as potential catalysts for misinformation and uncertainty, reminiscent of the controversies surrounding the 2020 elections.

With both supporters and opponents of the rules expressing valid concerns about election integrity, the upcoming elections in Georgia are poised to be a proving ground for these contentious changes.

As speculation over the motivations behind these new rules persists, it’s crucial to recognize the potential implications they may have on voter confidence and the overall electoral process. The stakes are particularly high as the nation approaches another pivotal election.

Source: USA TODAY