Concerns have emerged over last-minute election rule changes, potentially causing confusion and delaying results.
At a Glance
- Georgia mandates hand-counting of ballots on Election Day.
- New or altered state laws impact voting and ballot tallying processes.
- Concerns of confusion and delays voiced by voting rights groups and officials.
- A lawsuit seeks ethics hearing for state election board members.
Rule Changes and Their Impacts
Georgia now requires election workers to hand count ballots after voting is completed. The law mandates three separate poll workers to continue counting until the hand counts match machine counts. The requirement aims to ensure the accuracy of results, but local officials express concerns over potential delays and human errors. Additionally, Arizona requires hand-counting of ballot envelopes dropped off on Election Day before tabulation, which could further slow down reporting of results.
Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, expressed concern over the last-minute changes. He criticized the new rule mandating a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying results, fearing it could be misused to oppose finalizing elections based on preferences. A lawsuit alleges unethical behavior by State Election Board members who favored the rule changes.
State-Specific Rules Creating Further Challenges
Georgia is not alone in this situation. North Carolina permits some students and university staff to use digital IDs for voting. Wisconsin re-legalized ballot drop boxes, but their usage varies by community. In Ohio, dropping off ballots in drop boxes requires an attestation form if assistance is needed. Florida now demands reapplication for mail ballots in every general election, along with added ID verification. Pennsylvania faces court battles over counting provisional ballots and mail-in ballot errors.
“Last-minute changes to election rules — whether from a state legislature, an election authority or a court — can lead to confusion for voters and election officials,” stated Megan Bellamy, vice president of law and policy for the Voting Rights Lab. “Election season is underway. Lawmakers, administrative bodies and courts must recognize that.”
Georgia’s State Election Board is scheduling nearly a dozen rule changes that could be effective before the upcoming election. These changes are intended to improve errors and omissions in previous election cycles, but local officials worry they could disrupt preparations already in motion.
Consequences on Voter Trust and Election Integrity
Critics argue the new rules could bear significant consequences on public trust in the electoral system. The need for hand counts creates logistical challenges for election workers who typically work long hours. Furthermore, misinformation and previous election-related threats have already damaged public trust in elections. The rule changes risk exacerbating these issues.
The consequences of these changes are still uncertain. As election officials and workers scramble to adapt, voters are reminded of the importance of staying informed and vigilant. Transparency and efficiency in election processes remain paramount to maintaining trust in democratic institutions.
