Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is pushing back against a proposal to hand-count ballots on Election Day, calling it “misguided” and warning it could create delays and security risks. The rule, suggested by Fayette County election official Sharlene Alexander, would require manual ballot counts by poll workers, who would then compare the results to machine tallies and investigate any discrepancies.
Raffensperger highlighted that Senate Bill 202 was passed to ensure swift and transparent election results, arguing that hand-counting ballots could undermine those objectives. “The General Assembly knew that quick reporting of results and certification is paramount to voter confidence,” he said. Critics of the proposal believe it adds unnecessary complexity to the process.
The controversy is reminiscent of the 2020 presidential election when Raffensperger faced criticism from Trump supporters for refusing to validate signatures on mail-in ballots. Instead of addressing concerns over ballot authenticity, Raffensperger opted for a recount—a decision that left many questioning the effectiveness of his approach.
The proposal is scheduled for a vote by the State Election Board on August 19. Alexander defended the plan by noting that hand-counting was a staple in Fayette County until it was halted in 2022. She claims reinstating this method would improve the election process.
This debate follows another board decision earlier this month that allowed more time for verifying election results, a move that some fear could delay certification. Raffensperger criticized the board as being made up of “unelected bureaucrats” with limited experience in running elections. The five-member board, dominated by Republicans, faces mounting scrutiny as Georgia grapples with ongoing election integrity issues.
