Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has taken a firm stance against a State Election Board proposal to hand-count ballots on Election Day, calling the idea “misguided.” The plan, proposed by Sharlene Alexander, a Fayette County election official, would require three poll workers to manually tally ballots, matching them against machine totals. In cases of discrepancies, poll managers would be expected to investigate and resolve the issue.
Raffensperger expressed concern that the proposal could undermine the goals of Senate Bill 202, a law passed by the Georgia General Assembly to ensure rapid and transparent election results. “Quick reporting of results and certification is paramount to voter confidence,” Raffensperger said, stressing that the new plan could introduce delays and jeopardize the secure handling of ballots.
The proposal is set for a vote by the State Election Board on August 19. Alexander defended the practice, noting that hand-counting was standard in Fayette County until it was halted by state election officials in 2022. She argued that restoring this method would improve accuracy and trust in the election process.
This debate follows a recent board decision to allow extended verification before certifying results, which has already sparked concerns about potential delays. Critics, including Raffensperger, argue that such measures complicate the process without offering significant benefits. Raffensperger also criticized the State Election Board, describing its members as “unelected bureaucrats” with little experience in managing elections.
The State Election Board includes four Republicans and one Democrat, with members appointed by state legislative leaders and the governor. Their upcoming vote on this proposal could significantly impact Georgia’s election procedures moving forward.
