Georgia Judge Blocks Controversial Ballot Counting Rule

A Georgia judge, Robert McBurney, has blocked a new rule from the State Election Board that mandated hand-counting of Election Day ballots, citing concerns over potential administrative chaos and insufficient training for poll workers. The ruling came after the Democratic Party filed a lawsuit against the last-minute changes intended to delay election results and sow doubt about their legitimacy. Judge McBurney emphasized that such changes so close to Election Day could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, especially in the context of recent election controversies. The decision has been celebrated by the Democratic campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris, who argued that the rule was designed to create uncertainty around the election. Early voting in Georgia has already seen record participation, indicating strong engagement ahead of the November 5 election. This ruling is likely to be appealed, but it represents a significant victory for those advocating for fair and timely election processes in the state.