The Georgia State Election Board has passed a controversial new rule allowing local officials to investigate discrepancies in ballot counts before certifying election results. This move, approved by the board's conservative majority, mandates manual recounts to ensure the number of ballots does not exceed the number of voters. Proponents, including allies of former President Donald Trump, argue it ensures election integrity, while critics claim it could delay results and undermine voter confidence. The rule has drawn significant backlash from Democrats and voting rights groups, who fear it could lead to chaos and possibly affect the presidential election outcome. The board's decision follows other recent measures aimed at increasing scrutiny of election processes, which have similarly been criticized as partisan and potentially disruptive.