Georgia election board mandates hand count of presidential ballots

According to a report by The Washington Post, the process will involve three sworn poll officers at each polling place independently counting ballots by hand on either November 5 or 6. The hand-counted results must align with the totals generated by ballot scanners. Any discrepancies must be addressed and documented by the poll manager.

This rule marks a shift from the previous regulation, which mandated that ballots remain sealed and stored unless a recount was triggered. Now, all ballots will undergo both machine and hand counts at the precinct level. The dual-counting process, however, is expected to delay the final tally of Georgia’s election results.

Critics argue that the new requirement is being implemented too close to election day, leaving poll workers in large counties without sufficient time or training to perform the hand counts. Additionally, hand-counting ballots is significantly slower than using machines.

“Military ballots have already been issued,” explained Ethan Compton, an elections supervisor in Irwin County. “The election has begun. This is not the time to change the rules. That will only lower the integrity of our elections.”

However, supporters of the change cite alleged irregularities from the 2020 election as justification. Donald Trump has previously praised the three members of Georgia's election board who voted for the rule change, calling them “pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency, and victory.”

Georgia's move comes as other key states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, have signaled that their full election results are unlikely to be available on election night. Pennsylvania’s Department of State and Wisconsin officials have both indicated that delays are expected due to the time required for counting ballots.