{"id":2348055,"date":"2024-10-01T13:35:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T17:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-judge-seems-open-to-allowing-election-rule-changes-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-01T13:37:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T17:37:13","slug":"georgia-judge-seems-open-to-allowing-election-rule-changes-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-judge-seems-open-to-allowing-election-rule-changes-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia judge seems open to allowing election rule changes &#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\">24<\/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%2Fgeorgia-judge-seems-open-to-allowing-election-rule-changes-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=2348055&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>A Georgia judge, Robert \u200cMcBurney, appeared \u2064receptive to upholding recent changes made by the State Election Board regarding election rules during a bench trial in Fulton County.\u200d The case, brought by the Georgia Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee,\u2064 challenges\u2064 two new rules. The first rule mandates county \u2062officials to conduct a\u200b &#8220;reasonable \u200dinquiry&#8221; before\u200c certifying election results but lacks a clear definition. The second rule allows \u2064election officials \u200bto review \u2062all election-related documentation\u2063 prior to certification, which \u200bcould potentially delay the \u2064process in closely \u200dcontested races. <\/p>\n<p>Judge McBurney&#8217;s\u2063 questioning during the hearing indicated\u200b skepticism towards the plaintiffs&#8217; argument that the rules would impede the certification process. He pressed both sides for \u2062clarification on the\u2062 necessity and obligation to certify results by\u2062 a specified deadline, which both parties affirmed. The Democrats argued that \u200dthe ambiguity\u2062 of the rules \u200ccould lead to\u200c misinterpretations\u2064 and \u2064unnecessary delays, while a representative for the Republican\u2064 National Committee dismissed their concerns as hypothetical. No county official has yet cited these rules to \u200crefuse certification, which may impact the\u200b court&#8217;s ability\u2062 to intervene. \u200cAlthough McBurney has not yet issued a ruling, his inquiries suggested a \u200cpotential\u200d acceptance of these\u2062 rules as non-disruptive to \u200dthe \u2062certification obligations.  <\/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\">Georgia judge seems open to allowing election rule changes<\/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_1773094\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fulton-county\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Fulton County<\/a> Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney appeared open to upholding recent changes to Georgia&rsquo;s State Election Board rules based on arguments made <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3171807\/trial-begins-georgia-new-election-certification-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>during a bench trial<\/a> in the Peach State on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The case, filed in Fulton County by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Georgia<\/a> Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee, challenges two new rules passed by the Georgia State Board of Elections related to the certification of election results. The Democrats argue the rule changes could lead to confusion and certification delays of the 2024 presidential election results.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3113443\/georgia-election-board-approves-rule-requiring-reasonable-inquiry-before-certifying-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>first rule requires county officials<\/a> to conduct a &ldquo;reasonable inquiry&rdquo; before certifying results, though the new rule lacks a clear definition of what constitutes such an inquiry. The second rule permits election officials to examine all election-related documentation before certification, raising concerns that this could cause delays in close or contested races. Both were passed by 3-2 votes, with Republican members of the election board in the majority.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fulton County Chief Judge Robert McBurney speaks during the Tex McIver murder trial at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. (Hyosub Shin\/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>McBurney&rsquo;s questioning during the hearing signaled a degree of skepticism toward the plaintiffs&rsquo; argument that these rules could obstruct the certification process. He first sought clarification from both sides, asking whether they agreed that certification of election results by a Nov. 12 deadline, one week after the Nov. 5 Election Day, is mandatory and must meet statutory deadlines. Both parties affirmed this point.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What we&rsquo;re debating about is what [superintendents] can do in the period leading up to certification, and whether we call that work ministerial or discretionary,&rdquo; McBurney said.<\/p>\n<p>With the parties expressing no disagreement on the obligation to certify the election, McBurney signaled uncertainty at the outset of the bench trial about what further clarification was needed from the court. He pressed the plaintiffs on why the rules would cause county officials to believe they could not certify results, suggesting that the mandatory nature of certification was already clear.<\/p>\n<p>The Democrats contended that the lack of clarity in the rules could lead to misinterpretation by election officials, creating unnecessary delays and possibly threatening voters&rsquo; rights. They urged the court to issue a clear declaration to prevent any such confusion.<\/p>\n<p>The judge seemed to suggest that the second rule, the examination measure that allows superintendents to examine election-related documentation, does not create the same level of uncertainty as the reasonable inquiry rule since it is optional rather than obligatory.<\/p>\n<p>Attorney Baxter Drennon spoke on behalf of the Republican National Committee, which intervened in the case in support of the State Election Board&rsquo;s certification rules.<\/p>\n<p>Drennon called the plaintiffs&rsquo; concerns &ldquo;hypothetical,&rdquo; noting, &ldquo;I have not heard the petitioners cite one aspect of either rule that is inconsistent or different than what&rsquo;s required here under the law.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The key matter is whether McBurney will issue a declaration or a writ of mandamus on the dispute before the November election. He appeared to cast doubt on whether the question in the case can be answered with a direct ruling, as the rules themselves do not seem to conflict with the obligation to certify results. Additionally, no <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/loudoun-rapist-removed-from-sex-offender-registry-after-county-board-member-says-hes-the-victim\/\" title=\"Loudoun Rapist Removed From Sex Offender Registry After County Board Member Says He\u2019s The Victim\">county board member<\/a> has yet used these rules as a reason to refuse certification, which may limit the court&rsquo;s ability to intervene at this stage of the dispute.<\/p>\n<p>While McBurney has not ruled on the case, his inquiries suggested he might not see the rules as inherently problematic. His approach indicated a willingness to allow the election board&rsquo;s rules to stand, given the agreement among all parties that they may not interfere with the statutory requirements for certification.<\/p>\n<p>The State Election Board has gained attention recently as its Republican majority has become more open to demands from activists, largely fueled by lingering anger over the 2020 election results in Georgia, which saw President Joe Biden narrowly defeat former President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>Trump, who raised doubts about Biden&rsquo;s 2020 victory in the state, has praised board members Janice Johnston, Janelle King, and Rick Jeffares for pushing rule changes aimed at promoting &ldquo;honesty, transparency, and victory.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Other lawsuits have cropped up against the election board amid the last-minute rule changes. On Monday, a day before the trial, Democrats&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3171073\/dnc-sues-georgia-election-board-hand-count-ballot-rule\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">filed a separate lawsuit<\/a>&nbsp;targeting a different rule that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wake-up-with-the-washington-examiner-why-presidents-go-down-to-georgia-and-congress-comes-home-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Wake up with the Washington Examiner: Why presidents go down to Georgia, and Congress comes home - Washington Examiner\">state election board passed<\/a> on Sept. 20 by another 3-2 vote. That rule requires workers at polling places to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trial-begins-over-georgias-new-election-certification-rules-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trial begins over Georgia\u2019s new election certification rules - Washington Examiner\">hand-count paper ballots<\/a> on election night, in addition to the automated vote tabulation that will take place the night of the election.<\/p>\n<p>The case argued on Tuesday remains pending as McBurney considers whether further judicial clarification is necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\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_1773094\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1773094\"}});<\/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>Georgia judge shows willingness to accept election rule changes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2348056,"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\/09\/Georgia.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[39482,4977,5387,4431],"class_list":["post-2348055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-election-rules","tag-georgia","tag-judge","tag-legal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Georgia.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348055","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\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2348055"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348055\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2348056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2348055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2348055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2348055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}