The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 17, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In two cases with national implications, a Fulton County Superior Court Judge temporarily blocked implementation of new Georgia Election Board rules which appeared designed to delay the certification of the 2024 Presidential election.
The Georgia Election Board approved controversial new rules – within 90 days of the election – allowing individual members of county election boards to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” before certifying an election. Another rule approved only September 18th requires a hand count of paper ballots into stacks of 50 to compare with the machine count total.
Either of the rules could throw the election process into chaos and litigation, and delay the outcome, according to democracy advocates. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger called the hand counting rule “misguided.”
Judge Robert McBurney found both rules were decided too close to the election, not leaving enough time to train elections workers, and eroding voter confidence. “Intervenors have further demonstrated how the 11th-and-one-half hour implementation of the Hand Count Rule will make this coming election inefficient and non-uniform . . .” he said.
In the “reasonable inquiry” case, McBurney wrote that under Georgia law, no election superintendent may refuse to certify or abstain from certifying election results under any circumstance. The rulings are in effect for the 2024 election, and other challenges are pending. We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Georgia Recorder – Judge ponders Cobb County challenge to Georgia election board rules OK’d close to start of voting
Fulton County Superior Court – (Hand Counting Case) COBB COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION et al., v. STATE ELECTION BOARD
Georgia Recorder – Fulton judge says Georgia law requires county election officials to certify results
ABC News – Georgia judge blocks ballot counting rule and says county officials must certify election results
Campaign Legal Center – Can Georgia’s Election Board Refuse to Certify Results? The Law Says No
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters GA, Protect Democracy, Brennan Center for Justice
Check Your Voter Registration:
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
- USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
- Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
- Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #Georgia #Certification