Georgia Republicans Appeal Judge’s Ruling Voiding Election Rules \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ National and state Republicans have filed an appeal challenging a judge’s ruling that voided seven Georgia election rules. The rules, passed by the State Election Board, were deemed “illegal and unconstitutional” by Judge Thomas Cox, including regulations related to hand-counting ballots and election certification. Republicans argue the rules safeguard election integrity, while critics claim they could be used to delay or dispute election results.
Republicans Appeal Georgia Judge’s Decision on Election Rules Quick Looks
- Georgia Republicans, led by the RNC, appealed a ruling by Judge Thomas Cox that voided seven election rules passed by the State Election Board.
- The overturned rules include measures for hand-counting ballots and additional certification requirements, which critics say could be used to contest election results.
- The lawsuit was initiated by Eternal Vigilance Action, which argued that the State Election Board exceeded its authority in passing these rules.
Deep Look
Republicans in Georgia and at the national level are pushing back after a court decision struck down seven recently enacted election rules. On Thursday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Georgia Republican Party filed an appeal against Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas Cox’s ruling, which voided the rules on the grounds that the State Election Board lacked the authority to pass them.
Judge Cox ruled that the regulations, meant to govern election procedures, were “illegal, unconstitutional, and void.” In response, the State Election Board was ordered to notify all state and local election officials not to follow the rules in the upcoming elections.
The Controversial Election Rules
Among the invalidated rules are three that have drawn significant attention. One required that ballots be hand-counted after polls close on Election Day to ensure the number of paper ballots matches the electronic tallies. Two other rules related to the certification of election results, including one that called for a “reasonable inquiry” before county officials certify results.
These measures, championed by Republicans, were designed to add what they describe as “commonsense” protections for election integrity. However, critics, including county election officials, voiced concerns that the rules could disrupt or delay election processes. For instance, many county officials argued that a hand count would significantly slow down the reporting of results, especially at the end of a long election day, and would require more training and resources than available in such a short period.
Supporters of the hand-count rule countered that the process would take only minutes, not hours, and would provide an added layer of verification for election results. They also argued that vote tallies from scanner memory cards could be sent to county offices while the hand-count was being completed, ensuring that reporting would not be delayed.
Judge Cox disagreed, writing that hand-counting ballots was not authorized under Georgia law and that the duties of poll workers after the polls close are already clearly outlined.
Republican Response and Appeal
In a statement announcing the appeal, RNC Chairman Michael Whatley condemned Cox’s ruling as an example of judicial overreach. He accused the judge of siding with Democrats and undermining transparency, accountability, and election integrity. “We have immediately appealed this egregious order to ensure commonsense rules are in place for the election — we will not let this stand,” Whatley said.
Alex Kaufman, a lawyer representing the Georgia Republican Party, confirmed that the party filed an emergency notice of appeal with the Georgia Supreme Court on Thursday. Kaufman reiterated the importance of the rules in maintaining the integrity of the upcoming election, echoing concerns that without them, election processes could be more vulnerable to error or manipulation.
The Lawsuit’s Origins
The legal challenge leading to Judge Cox’s ruling was brought by Eternal Vigilance Action, an organization led by former state Rep. Scot Turner, a Republican. The group argued that the State Election Board overstepped its legal authority in passing these new rules without legislative approval. Turner expressed surprise at the GOP’s defense of what he described as unchecked power for unelected bureaucrats. “Seeing the Republican Party argue that unelected bureaucrats should have the power to make new law is certainly a departure from traditional conservative values,” Turner told The Associated Press.
Turner’s organization views the ruling as a win in the fight to prevent overreach by the State Election Board, and he vowed to continue fighting against what he called an “administrative-state power grab.”
Democratic and Voting Rights Groups React
Democrats and voting rights groups have hailed the ruling as a victory. They argue that the rules passed by the State Election Board could be weaponized by Trump allies to cast doubt on the results if the former president loses to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Recent appointments to the State Election Board have shifted control toward Trump-endorsed Republicans, who have used their majority to pass these contentious election rules over the objections of the board’s sole Democrat and its nonpartisan chair.
Opponents of the rules claim they could pave the way for delaying or even denying the certification of legitimate election results, potentially throwing the election into chaos. The rules requiring certification officials to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” without specifying what that entails have been particularly controversial, with critics saying the ambiguity could be used to dispute unfavorable results.
Concerns Among Election Officials
County election officials across Georgia, who are responsible for running the elections, have expressed concerns over the flood of new rules being introduced so close to Election Day. With limited time to train workers and implement the changes, many fear the new regulations will cause confusion and hinder their ability to administer a smooth election.
The rules also include new requirements for absentee ballot submission, surveillance of ballot drop boxes, and expanded areas for partisan poll watchers. Critics say these changes could make the process of casting a ballot more difficult for voters and increase the likelihood of disputes at polling locations.
As the appeal heads to the Georgia Supreme Court, the outcome could have significant implications for how elections are conducted in the state. With the 2024 election fast approaching, the stakes are high as both parties jockey for control of key battleground states like Georgia, where elections have been fiercely contested in recent years.
