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The Georgia State Election Board approved a new measure Tuesday that could allow local officials to withhold certifying a vote if faced with unspecified discrepancies, according to multiple reports.
The Republican led five-person board passed the new rules in a 3-2 vote, allowing local officials to potentially conduct a “reasonable inquiry,” if needed to ensure “the results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in that election,” according to The New York Times.
While Democrats on the board argued the new rules were in conflict with the state’s laws, the Republicans of the group — Dr. Janice Johnson, Rick Jeffares and Janelle King — vouched the measure would help ensure the election results are accurate.
“I think by supporting this rule, what we’re saying is that we stand with those who have to sign legal documents stating that this information is accurate, and ensuring that they have what’s necessary to stand by that legal document,” King said, according to The Guardian.
The measure was originally proposed by Republican appointee to the Fulton election board, Michael Heekin, who says the measure will act as “guardrails.” According to current state election law, country superintendents must certify the results by the Monday after an election which makes the certification process non-discretionary, according to The Augusta Chronicle.
“It’s guardrails to make the point that what we are doing is very important and not to be taken lightly,” Herein said, The August Chronicle reported.
Prior to the approval Democratic board members called out the Republican for rushing to change the rules as the 2024 election is under 100 days away. Democratic board member Sara Tindall Ghazal called the use of “reasonable inquiry” too vague of a definition, saying it could potentially allow “exploitation,” according to The Augusta Chronicle.
Deputy chief counsel for the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Nikhel Sus, additionally weighed in on the approval, saying the board didn’t have the legal authority to pass the new power to local officials, the outlet reported.
“No statute gives county election superintendents discretion to conduct a free-roaming inquiry prior to certification,” Sus said.