Controversial Hand-Counting Ruling Raises Alarm Among Election Officials in Augusta

Controversial Hand-Counting Ruling Causes Waves in Augusta

Augusta, Ga. is buzzing with reactions following a recent decision by the state Election Board that mandates the hand-counting of ballots on election night. The voting body made the controversial choice on Friday with a slim 3-2 majority, disregarding warnings from several high-profile officials, including the state attorney general and the secretary of state’s office. Local election officials, including Richmond County Board of Elections Executive Director Travis Doss, voiced their strong objections.

Frustration from Election Officials

“It was very frustrating because you had election directors there telling the state elections board that this was not a good idea, that there are other ways of doing it,” Doss said, expressing his disbelief at the board’s decision. He pointed out that the attorney general labeled the new rule as “borderline illegal” yet the board moved forward, heaving discontent among those tasked with overseeing the elections.

While some state supporters argue that hand counting will enhance public trust and election integrity, opponents, especially those working at the local level, fear that the real issues run deeper than just timing. Doss outlined how challenging the counting process could be during the elections on November 5th. “They’re just sitting there going, 1-2-3-4-5-6…ugh,” he said, indicating the tedious nature of counting.

Concerns Over Errors and Delays

The Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials chimed in, stating that the rule changes could create confusion, hinder the election process, and increase the chances of mistakes. Doss openly criticized the state Election Board for not delaying new rules until after the upcoming election, emphasizing the need for stability in the extremely scrutinized electoral environment.

“We are already in the midst of extensive training preparation for our poll workers,” he lamented before the vote. “Any last-minute changes to the rules risk undermining the public’s trust in the electoral process and place undue pressure on the individuals responsible for managing the polls.” Doss highlighted the concerning nature of expecting poll workers to count ballots accurately after a long, exhaustive day.

The Challenges of Human Counting

The newly approved rule necessitates that paper ballots be counted at each polling place by three workers to ensure consistency in counting. However, Doss pointed out the issues that come with human counting. “When you think about having to count thousands of pieces of paper, how many human error mistakes there can be,” he warned. According to Doss, this is not the first time he has dealt with ballot counting challenges. “We tried this back in 2019 when we first started this voting system, and sadly, but humans can’t count,” he recalled.

Timing Is Everything

He further elaborated on the time constraints poll workers face, noting that their day starts as early as 5:30 a.m., and counting would not begin until after 8 p.m. “People have difficulty doing a repetitive task over a long period of time,” he said, presenting a vivid picture of the exhaustion poll workers will feel. The extra pressure on those managing the polls amid the already intense scrutiny on Georgia elections could lead to mistakes or delays—an outcome no one wants to see.

Legal Backlash and Uncertainty Ahead

The ruling isn’t completely set in stone just yet. There is still a 20-day grace period before the new rules are fully established on October 11. Additionally, a lawsuit is already in motion challenging the legality of the board’s decision. The plaintiffs argue that the election board has stretched its authority beyond the law. A trial is scheduled for October 1, potentially complicating matters.

Voter Reactions and Concerns

As the political environment heats up, striking sentiments have emerged from Georgia voters. Voter Kelton Allen shared his fears, stating that these changes might breed confusion and raise doubts about election security. “This potentially could lead to confusion and people feeling as if they shouldn’t come out to the polls to vote,” he said. Fellow state representative Dexter Sharper reiterated the need for the electronic voting system, advocating for a stable method of reassuring the public about the voting process.

As the state inches closer to Election Day, the ramifications of the vote remain uncertain. With rising frustrations and growing legal battles, it’s clear that the upcoming election will be one to watch closely in Augusta and beyond.