In a landmark decision, the Georgia Election Board voted 3-2 to require a hand count of ballots on Election Day, adding a new layer of security to the state’s election process. This move has been hailed by election integrity advocates as a significant win for democracy, ensuring transparency and accuracy in one of the most critical battleground states.
Chairman John Fervier, who supported the decision, emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in the electoral process. “This is about making sure every vote is counted fairly,” Fervier stated. He believes that the new measure will provide voters with additional confidence in the system and help dispel concerns about the accuracy of machine counts.
While some officials, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, raised concerns about implementing this rule so close to the election, supporters argue that the hand count is a necessary safeguard for democracy. Raffensperger voiced logistical concerns, particularly the challenge of retraining poll workers at this late stage, but Fervier insisted that ensuring accuracy outweighs the potential obstacles.
Election integrity has been a major focus in Georgia since 2020, and this decision reflects ongoing efforts to improve public confidence. The hand count will provide a manual check on machine tabulations, ensuring that any discrepancies are caught and addressed.
Despite potential challenges in execution, the new rule is seen as a critical step in protecting the democratic process, ensuring that every legal vote cast in Georgia is counted with precision.
