Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has sought guidance from his attorney general on whether he can remove members of the state election board following the approval of new rules by three right-wing members that have been heavily criticized. The rules passed by the board include additional requirements for county election boards to certify their results, such as making a “reasonable inquiry” before certification without defining what constitutes an inquiry or what “reasonable” means. Additionally, county boards are now required to hold a meeting to verify their vote count on the Friday after election day, before the ballot return deadline for voters overseas and in the military.
The three right-wing members who championed the new rules – Janelle King, Rick Jeffares, and Janice Johnston – received praise from former President Donald Trump, who called them “pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency and victory.” The rules have been criticized by Democrats, with Representative Lucy McBath calling them a deliberate effort to undermine democracy and hinder the certification process in favor of Trump causing chaos. The Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit challenging the rules, arguing that they could delay certification and lead to disputes over the vote. The Harris campaign endorsed the lawsuit as well, emphasizing the importance of following the law and ensuring every vote is counted.
Despite the backlash against the new rules, King defended them, asserting that they will not impact certification as long as election officials have the necessary information. In response to criticism, Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon argued that the rule changes are common-sense measures aimed at ensuring election integrity. He emphasized that the rules do not infringe on anyone’s voting rights or place undue burdens on election workers, but rather promote transparency, accountability, and accurate reporting. At least 19 election officials in Georgia have refused to verify election results since 2020, raising concerns about the impact of the new rules on the certification process.
The controversy surrounding the state election board’s new rules comes amid ongoing legal battles over the 2020 election results and allegations of election interference. Trump, along with his former attorney Rudy Giuliani and others, has been charged in Fulton County, Georgia, with election interference charges related to his false claims of widespread fraud leading to his defeat by President Joe Biden. While there is no evidence to support the claims of election fraud, the contentious political climate has prompted both Democrats and Republicans to take action to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. With the upcoming election on November 5, the implementation and enforcement of these new rules will continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny and debate among policymakers and the public.
