Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is pushing back against a proposed State Election Board rule that would require hand-counting ballots on Election Day. The plan, brought forward by Fayette County election official Sharlene Alexander, would mandate poll workers sort ballots into stacks of 50, verifying totals against machine results. If discrepancies arise, poll managers would be tasked with investigating the issue.
Raffensperger criticized the move as counterproductive, arguing it contradicts legislation intended to streamline vote counting. He highlighted Senate Bill 202, passed by the Georgia General Assembly, which prioritizes timely election results and secure ballot management. “The General Assembly knew that quick reporting of results and certification is paramount to voter confidence,” Raffensperger said in a statement, adding that the new proposal would “undermine chain of custody safeguards.”
Alexander defended the proposal, pointing out that hand-counting was a routine practice in Fayette County until it was halted in 2022 by state election officials. She emphasized that this method had long been a reliable part of their election process. The proposal has sparked debate as the State Election Board prepares to vote on the rule on August 19.
This debate follows an earlier board decision allowing extended time for ensuring accuracy before certifying election results. Some see this move as a positive step toward transparency, while others worry it could create unnecessary delays. Raffensperger’s criticism focused on what he called “unelected bureaucrats” imposing changes without sufficient election experience. The five-member board, dominated by Republicans, faces growing scrutiny as election security remains a top concern for Georgia voters.
