{"id":2321885,"date":"2024-08-09T11:31:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T15:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/opponents-say-georgia-election-board-reasonable-inquiry-rule-is-power-overreach-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-09T11:35:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T15:35:09","slug":"opponents-say-georgia-election-board-reasonable-inquiry-rule-is-power-overreach-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/opponents-say-georgia-election-board-reasonable-inquiry-rule-is-power-overreach-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Opponents say Georgia election board \u2018reasonable inquiry\u2019 rule is power overreach &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fopponents-say-georgia-election-board-reasonable-inquiry-rule-is-power-overreach-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2321885&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Georgia State Election Board recently approved a controversial rule allowing \u2062local election \u200cofficials\u200b to \u2062perform a \u2063&#8221;reasonable inquiry&#8221; to ensure the accuracy of election results before certifying them. This decision, made in a narrow 3-2 vote, has raised concerns among\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/update-corrupted-software-that-stole-6000-votes-from-trump-in-michigan-county-shut-down-for-two-hours-in-red-counties-in-georgia-on-election-day\/\" title=\"Update: Corrupted Software that Stole 6,000 Votes From Trump in Michigan County -- Shut Down for TWO HOURS in Red Counties in Georgia on Election Day\">state officials<\/a> and critics who argue it \u200dmay violate existing state election laws and grant unchecked power to the \u2063election \u200bofficials. Proponents, including members who voted \u2062in favor, have received support from former President Donald Trump, who praises their commitment\u200b to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/after-june-primary-virginia-county-halts-use-of-ranked-choice-voting\/\" title=\"Virginia County Stops Using Ranked Choice Voting After June Primary.\">election \u2064integrity<\/a>. However, opponents fear this regulation could lead to chaos and delays \u2063in\u200c the\u2063 electoral\u2062 process\u200c and \u2062lacks oversight from the state legislature. Legal experts have voiced worries about the\u2064 implications this \u200drule may \u200chave on the administration of elections in Georgia.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Opponents say Georgia election board &lsquo;reasonable inquiry&rsquo; rule is power overreach<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1726412\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>State officials are concerned the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title> Georgia<\/a> State <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Election<\/a> Board&rsquo;s approval of a rule allowing for a &ldquo;reasonable inquiry&rdquo; before certifying election results could actually violate state election <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>laws&nbsp;<\/a>already in the books.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In a 3-2 vote Tuesday,&nbsp;the board granted power to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/group-our-vote-matters-is-suing-facebook-dominion-mark-zuckerberg-certain-state-officials-others-for-infringing-upon-right-to-vote-assemble-and-speak-freely-you-can-jo\/\" title=\"Group \u201cOur Vote Matters\u201d Is Suing Facebook, Dominion, Mark Zuckerberg, Certain State Officials, Others for Infringing Upon Right to Vote, Assemble and Speak Freely \u2013 You Can Join Too\">local election officials<\/a> to conduct a &ldquo;reasonable inquiry that the tabulation and canvassing of the election are complete and accurate and that the results are a true and accurate accounting of all votes cast in that election&rdquo; before certifying the results.<\/p>\n<p>The three board members who voted in favor of the measure, Janice Johnston, Rick Jeffares, and Janelle King, were praised by former president Donald Trump as being &ldquo;pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency, and victory.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trump faces criminal charges in Georgia for his efforts to overturn the state&rsquo;s election results in 2020, having called on Georgia&rsquo;s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find more votes on Jan. 2, 2021. Trump lost Georgia to President Joe Biden by a little less than 12,000 votes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Opponents of the rule say it is creating power for election officials that can remain unchecked by the state legislature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Anthony Michael Kreis, a Georgia State University law professor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/elections\/georgia-election-rule-prompts-concerns-of-chaos-and-delays-87c73749\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>told<\/a> the <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em> that the board is creating powers to investigate the election that go beyond what is approved by the law.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While the board can promulgate rules to make it easier for local officials to carry out their duties in a uniform way, it cannot confer additional authority on local elections to do things they are not already empowered to do,&rdquo; Kreis told the outlet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Some fear that these &ldquo;inquiries&rdquo; may cause delays in certifying the result of the election.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Georgia&rsquo;s Election Integrity Act requires counties to certify the election results by Nov. 12, and we fully anticipate that counties will follow the law,&rdquo; Mike Hassinger, spokesman for the secretary of state&rsquo;s office, told the outlet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, Johnston said they aren&rsquo;t asking for the power to conduct an in depth investigation, but rather to conduct a &ldquo;reasonable inquiry.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But board member John Fervier says the new measures lacks &ldquo;any guardrails.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sympathetic to boards being able to look at documents prior to certifying,&rdquo; Fervier said. &ldquo;I also believe there should be some guardrails around that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1726412\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1726412\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Critics argue that the Georgia State Election Board&#8217;s new &#8220;reasonable inquiry&#8221; rule represents an overreach of authority. State officials are worried that this rule, which permits local election officials to conduct inquiries before certifying election results, may conflict with existing state election laws. In a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, the board empowered local officials to ensure that the tabulation and canvassing of votes are complete and accurate prior to certification. The three members who supported the measure\u2014Janice Johnston, Rick Jeffares, and Janelle King\u2014received praise from former President Donald Trump for their commitment to &#8220;honesty, transparency, and victory.&#8221; Trump is currently facing criminal charges in Georgia related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results after losing by just under 12,000 votes. Opponents of the rule contend it grants unchecked power to election officials. Anthony Michael Kreis, a law professor at Georgia State University, expressed concerns that this new authority exceeds what is legally permitted for investigating elections. He stated that while the board can create rules for uniformity among local officials&#8217; duties, it cannot grant them additional powers not already authorized by law. There are worries that these inquiries could delay result certification; however, Mike Hassinger from the secretary of state&#8217;s office assured compliance with Georgia\u2019s Election Integrity Act requiring counties to certify results by November 12. Johnston clarified that they seek only a &#8220;reasonable inquiry,&#8221; not extensive investigations. Nonetheless, board member John Fervier cautioned about a lack of safeguards surrounding these new measures and emphasized the need for some form of oversight in this process<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2321886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ap-dc-board-elections-sign-080224.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[34493,4977,32603,37668,32076],"class_list":["post-2321885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-election-board","tag-georgia","tag-political-news","tag-power-overreach","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/ap-dc-board-elections-sign-080224.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2321885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2321885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2321886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2321885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2321885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2321885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}