The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Georgia GOP leaders are urging the state Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that blocked critical election integrity rules. These rules, passed by the Georgia State Election Board, were intended to increase transparency and security in the upcoming election but were struck down by Judge Thomas Cox.
The blocked rules included provisions such as hand-counting paper ballots and expanding poll watcher access. Judge Cox argued that the Election Board did not have the authority to pass these measures, stating that such decisions should be left to the Georgia General Assembly.
In response, the RNC filed an emergency appeal, asking the state’s Supreme Court to reinstate the rules while the case is under review. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley called the judge’s ruling an attack on efforts to protect election integrity. “We must have commonsense rules in place to ensure a fair and secure election,” Whatley said.
The Georgia Supreme Court is expected to decide on the GOP’s appeal soon. The stakes are high, as the 2024 general election approaches and Georgia remains a key battleground state.
Republicans argue that these election reforms are necessary to prevent fraud and ensure accurate results, particularly following the contentious 2020 election.
