Georgia Judge Blocks Hand Count Rule

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney halted a new rule by the Georgia State Election Board requiring hand counts of ballots on Election Day, citing potential 'administrative chaos' and recalling the unrest of January 6, 2021. The rule, supported by allies of Donald Trump, aimed for manual ballot counts to verify machine tallies, but was praised by Democrats and voting rights advocates for its potential to undermine confidence and disrupt the process. The injunction prevents the rule from taking effect before the upcoming November election, which has already seen record early voting turnout in Georgia. Additionally, McBurney ruled that county officials must certify election results by the legal deadline, rejecting a separate rule allowing officials to withhold certification over suspected fraud. These rulings emphasize maintaining order and confidence in the electoral process amid a charged political climate.