The Georgia State Election Board is set to meet Friday to vote on 11 rule changes, just weeks before early voting begins for the Nov. 5 general election. Among the proposals are requirements for hand-counting ballots at polling locations and publicly posting the names of all registered voters.
Any rules passed at the meeting will take effect 20 days later, coinciding with the distribution of overseas and military ballots and the start of in-person early voting.
The Cobb County Election Board also voted unanimously on Monday to urge the state board to halt rule changes so close to the election.
In recent months, the State Election Board has received several proposals, many from activists aligned with President Trump, who has continued to point out voter fraud in the 2020 election. Trump has praised three of the board’s five members at a recent rally, calling them “pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency, and victory.”
In August, the board voted 3-2 on a controversial rule allowing local officials to investigate election results before certifying them. Supporters argue it ensures accurate results, while critics claim it invites post-election chaos. Georgia Democrats have since sued to block the rule, asserting the board is overstepping its legal authority.
