Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is once again at the center of election controversies, this time pushing back against a proposal from the State Election Board to require hand-counting ballots on Election Day. The plan, introduced by Sharlene Alexander of Fayette County, would have poll workers sort and tally ballots by hand, cross-checking them with machine results. Any discrepancies would need to be investigated by poll managers.
Raffensperger criticized the proposal as “misguided,” citing Senate Bill 202, a law passed by the Georgia General Assembly to ensure quick and secure election results. “The General Assembly knew that quick reporting of results and certification is paramount to voter confidence,” Raffensperger said in a statement, warning that the proposal could undermine election security and delay results.
This isn’t the first time Raffensperger has been involved in a high-profile election dispute. During the 2020 presidential election, he faced significant pressure from President Donald Trump’s supporters to validate signatures on mail-in ballots. Instead, Raffensperger opted for a recount of questionable ballots, a move critics said missed the mark since it didn’t address concerns about ballot authenticity.
Alexander defended her proposal by emphasizing that hand-counting was a long-standing tradition in Fayette County until it was halted in 2022 by state officials. The State Election Board, which includes four Republicans and one Democrat, is set to vote on the rule on August 19.
The debate comes after the board’s recent decision to allow extended verification before certifying results, drawing concerns about potential delays. Raffensperger slammed the board members as “unelected bureaucrats” with little experience in running elections. The outcome of this vote could shape how Georgia handles future elections amid ongoing discussions about voter trust and election integrity.
