{"id":2344070,"date":"2024-09-20T17:35:01","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T21:35:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ga-seb-approves-rule-seeking-to-ensure-accurate-ballot-counts\/"},"modified":"2024-09-20T17:38:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T21:38:41","slug":"ga-seb-approves-rule-seeking-to-ensure-accurate-ballot-counts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ga-seb-approves-rule-seeking-to-ensure-accurate-ballot-counts\/","title":{"rendered":"GA SEB Approves Rule Seeking To Ensure Accurate Ballot Counts"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/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%2Fga-seb-approves-rule-seeking-to-ensure-accurate-ballot-counts%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=2344070&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>On Friday, the Georgia State Election Board (SEB) approved a\u2064 new rule designed to ensure that the number of physical \u2064ballots counted matches\u2063 the count recorded by machines at \u200cprecincts. The new regulation, Rule 183-1-12-.12 (a) (5), mandates that after\u2063 ballots are \u200cremoved from ballot boxes, poll managers and\u200c two witnesses must \u200dindependently \u2063count and record the \u2064total, checking for discrepancies. If any inconsistencies arise \u200bbetween the hand-count totals\u2064 and machine records, \u2064the poll manager is required to investigate and document the issue.<\/p>\n<p>Janelle King,\u2062 an SEB member, emphasized the\u2063 need for \u200ba uniform standard \u2064across all counties, noting\u2062 that while \u200bsome counties\u2063 already use hand counting, the new rule would standardize this \u2062practice statewide. However, Chairman John\u200b Fervier \u2064opposed the proposal, citing\u200b concerns over legal support for the rule. Tensions arose during discussions, particularly regarding the interpretation of legal statutes governing such practices.\u200d <\/p>\n<p>The Attorney General&#8217;s office had previously warned that the proposed rules could overstep legal boundaries, arguing they lacked statutory basis for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/colorado-bill-to-mandate-electronic-voting-records-supported-by-soros-backed-secretary-of-state\/\" title=\"Colorado Bill To Mandate Electronic Voting Records Supported By Soros-Backed Secretary of State\">hand-counting ballots<\/a> before\u2062 tabulation. Additionally, concerns were raised about the timing of these rule changes so close to an impending election. The board also approved a related Rule 183-1-12-.12 (e), which requires counties to publish completed Reconciliation Reports after \u200delections.  <\/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<div>\n<p>The Georgia State Election Board (SEB) approved a rule on Friday that aims to ensure the number of physical ballots counted matches the machine count at the precinct level.<\/p>\n<p>The board approved <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.ga.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-08\/seb-notice_of_proposed_rulemaking_183_1_12_.12a5_hand_count.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rule 183-1-12-.12 (a) (5)<\/a>, which states the poll manager and two witnesses shall, after removing the &ldquo;paper ballots from each ballot box, record the date and time that the ballot box was emptied and present to three sworn precinct poll officers to independently count the total number of ballots removed from the scanner, sorting into stacks of 50 ballots continuing until all of the ballots have been counted separately by each of the three poll officers.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But if the three poll officers find that &ldquo;the numbers recorded on the precinct poll pads, ballot marking devices [BMDs] and scanner recap forms do not reconcile with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/montana-county-declares-wrong-winner-after-overcounting-votes\/\" title=\"Montana County Declares Wrong Winner After Overcounting Votes\">hand count ballot totals<\/a>, the poll manager shall immediately determine the reason for the inconsistency; correct the inconsistency, if possible; and fully document the inconsistency or problem along with any corrective measures taken.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A handful of Georgia counties already use hand counting at the precinct level, as SEB member Janelle King noted in Friday&rsquo;s meeting. She argued that, by approving Rule 183-1-12-.12 (a) (5), the board would simply be creating uniform guidance across the state.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I just want to point out that according to our Georgia code, the role of the [SEB], part of our role, is to &lsquo;promulgate rules and regulations to define uniform and nondiscriminatory standards,&#8217;&rdquo; King <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/realLizUSA\/status\/1837162135521988783\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">s<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/realLizUSA\/status\/1837162135521988783\">aid<\/a>, reading from what she indicated to be state election <a href=\"https:\/\/casetext.com\/statute\/code-of-georgia\/title-21-elections\/chapter-2-elections-and-primaries-generally\/article-2-supervisory-boards-and-officers\/part-1-state-election-board-county-board-of-elections-and-county-board-of-elections-and-registration\/subpart-1-state-election-board\/section-21-2-31-duties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">code<\/a>. &ldquo;As we stated several times, having some counties counting by hand and some counties not, does not establish uniformity. This rule will do that, and we do have the ability to do that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Chairman John Fervier &mdash; who voted against the proposal &mdash; interjected, seeming to suggest a lack of &ldquo;statute support&rdquo; for the rule.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Where does it say that?&rdquo; King <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4LN5VAO_duY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">responded<\/a>. &ldquo;Can you show that to me, Mr. Chairman?&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Did you read the Attorney General&rsquo;s opinion?&rdquo; Fervier asked <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not talking about the Attorney General&rsquo;s opinion. I&rsquo;m talking about what&rsquo;s in our Georgia election code book,&rdquo; King responded.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Are there any further comments by this board?&rdquo; Fervier asked without answering King&rsquo;s question.<\/p>\n<p>Fervier voted against the proposal alongside Sara Tindall Ghazal, the Democrat-appointed board member.<\/p>\n<p>Republican state Attorney General Chris Carr&rsquo;s office reportedly sent a memo to SEB members prior to Friday&rsquo;s meeting, saying &ldquo;[t]he statutes upon which these rules rely do not reflect any provision enacted by the General Assembly for the hand-counting of ballots prior to tabulation&hellip; these proposed rules are not tethered to any statute&mdash;and are, therefore, likely the precise type of impermissible legislation that agencies cannot do,&rdquo; according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.11alive.com\/article\/news\/politics\/georgia-state-election-board-rules-georgia-ag-chris-carr-opinion-letter\/85-fec8c5a5-ae76-49d4-ab09-40a5e4f40b8c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">11 Alive<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[READNEXT:[READNEXT:<a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/09\/19\/georgia-secretary-of-states-office-urges-lawfare-against-election-officials-who-dont-rubber-stamp-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Georgia Secretary Of State&rsquo;s Office Urges Lawfare Against Election Officials Who Don&rsquo;t Rubber-Stamp Results<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>General Counsel from the Secretary of State&rsquo;s Office Charlene McGowan also reportedly sent SEB members a letter on Monday arguing the rule changes come too close to Election Day, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.11alive.com\/article\/news\/politics\/elections\/voters-election-officials-concerned-over-proposed-rule-changes\/85-75964803-ac06-4565-9647-b84f030b04ae\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">11 Alive<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The board also <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.ga.gov\/page\/proposed-state-election-board-rules-and-rule-amendments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voted<\/a> on Friday to approve Rule <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.ga.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-08\/seb-notice_of_proposed_rulemaking_183_1_12_.12e_reconcilliation_report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">183-1-12-.12 (e)<\/a>, which states: &ldquo;Upon submission of the completed Reconciliation Report to the Secretary of State, each county shall publish the report on their county election results website or post it in their elections office.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Another <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.ga.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-08\/seb-notice_of_proposed_rulemaking_183_1_13_.05_poll_watchers_in_tab_center.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proposal<\/a> that would permit poll watchers in tabulation centers passed by a 3-1 vote. Fervier did not vote.<\/p>\n<p>The SEB also passed a series of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sen-josh-hawley-announces-he-will-object-during-electoral-college-certification-process\/\" title=\"Sen. Josh Hawley announces he will object during Electoral College certification process\">election integrity measures<\/a> in August, <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/08\/08\/georgia-elections-board-confirms-officials-right-to-reasonable-inquiry-before-certifying-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">including<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.ga.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-07\/Notice%20of%20Proposed%20Rulemaking%20-%20183-1-12-.02.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rule 183-1-12-.02 <\/a>that clarifies county election boards can fulfill their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dems-ga-county-should-rubber-stamp-elections-no-questions\/\" title=\"Dems: GA County Should Rubber-Stamp Elections, No Questions\">certification responsibility &#038;ldquo<\/a>;after reasonable inquiry that 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;<\/p>\n<p>Another rule, in part, permits <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/08\/16\/georgia-board-to-vote-on-requiring-number-of-ballots-cast-to-equal-number-of-voters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">board members<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.ga.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-07\/notice_of_proposed_rulemaking_183_1_12_12_1_v2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">review<\/a> &ldquo;all election related documentation created during the conduct of elections prior to certification of results.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Brianna Lyman is an elections correspondent at The Federalist. Brianna graduated from Fordham University with a degree in International Political Economy. Her work has been featured on Newsmax, Fox News, Fox Business and RealClearPolitics. Follow Brianna on X: @briannalyman2<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Georgia State Election Board (SEB) approved a new rule on Friday designed to ensure that the count of physical ballots aligns with the machine tally at each precinct. The board endorsed Rule 183-1-12-.12 (a) (5), which requires the poll manager and two witnesses to document the date and time when each ballot box is emptied, then present the ballots to three sworn precinct poll officers for an independent count. These officers will sort and count the ballots in groups of 50 until all are accounted for. If discrepancies arise between the counts recorded on various election devices and forms compared to the hand-count totals, it is up to the poll manager to investigate, rectify any inconsistencies if possible, and thoroughly document both the issue and any corrective actions taken.<\/p>\n<p>Some counties in Georgia already practice hand counting at precincts, as noted by SEB member Janelle King during Friday&#8217;s meeting. She argued that adopting Rule 183-1-12-.12 (a) (5) would create consistent standards across all counties. King referenced state election code regarding SEB&#8217;s responsibility to establish uniform regulations: \u201cHaving some counties counting by hand while others do not does not create uniformity,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n<p>Chairman John Fervier opposed this proposal, suggesting there was insufficient statutory support for it. When he questioned King about this lack of support, she insisted her focus was on existing Georgia election law rather than opinions from other authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Fervier voted against this measure along with Sara Tindall Ghazal, another board member appointed by Democrats. Prior to Friday\u2019s meeting, Republican Attorney General Chris Carr\u2019s office reportedly sent a memo indicating that there were no legislative provisions supporting pre-tabulation hand counting of ballots; thus these proposed rules might be considered unauthorized legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, General Counsel Charlene McGowan from the Secretary of State\u2019s Office expressed concerns in a letter sent earlier in the week about implementing these rule changes so close to Election Day.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, SEB also approved Rule 183-1-12-.12 (e), which mandates that once a completed Reconciliation Report is submitted to the Secretary of State&#8217;s office, each county must publish it on their election results website or display it at their elections office. Another proposal allowing poll watchers in tabulation centers passed with a vote of 3-1; Fervier abstained from voting on this matter.<\/p>\n<p>In August, SEB had already enacted several measures aimed at enhancing election integrity including Rule 183-1-12-.02 which clarifies how county boards can certify elections after ensuring accurate tabulation and canvassing processes have been completed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":2344071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-20-at-3.22.34-PM-e1726860220280-1024x577.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[41364,32644,41363,35468,41365],"class_list":["post-2344070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-ballot-counts","tag-election-integrity","tag-ga-seb","tag-georgia-elections","tag-voting-rules"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-20-at-3.22.34-PM-e1726860220280-1024x577.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344070","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\/74"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2344070"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344070\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2344071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2344070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2344070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2344070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}