Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has expressed firm opposition to a proposal that would mandate hand-counting ballots on Election Day, warning that it could lead to delays and complications in the voting process. The rule, introduced by Fayette County election official Sharlene Alexander, would require three poll workers to manually tally ballots, checking results against machine counts and resolving any inconsistencies.
Raffensperger called the proposal “misguided” and said it conflicts with Senate Bill 202, which was designed to speed up and secure election results. He emphasized that quick and accurate certification of results is essential for voter confidence and warned that this measure could undermine the integrity of the process.
Raffensperger’s stance echoes his actions during the 2020 presidential election when he resisted demands from President Donald Trump’s supporters to validate signatures on mail-in ballots. Instead, he ordered a recount, a decision that critics argued didn’t address concerns over whether the ballots were legitimate in the first place.
The State Election Board, which includes four Republicans and one Democrat, is set to vote on the hand-counting proposal on August 19. Alexander argued that hand-counting was a routine practice in Fayette County until it was stopped in 2022, and she believes restoring it could enhance election transparency.
The board’s recent decision to allow extended verification of results before certification has already stirred controversy, with some fearing it could lead to delays. Raffensperger has been critical of the board, describing its members as “unelected bureaucrats” who lack real election experience. The outcome of this vote could set the tone for how Georgia handles election integrity concerns moving forward.
