As Georgia begins its critical battleground election, a record number of early votes have already been cast, signaling intense voter engagement. Over 328,000 ballots were submitted on the first day of early voting, shattering the previous first-day record of 136,000 votes set in 2020. Gabe Sterling, a representative from Georgia’s Secretary of State’s office, shared the news on X, highlighting the significance of the turnout.
This election is unfolding amid both the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and a political landscape charged with lawsuits over election procedures. One major point of contention has been the introduction of a so-called Hand Count Rule, which was pushed by the Trump-backed Republican majority of the Georgia State Election Board. This rule would have required all ballots to be hand-counted, an action widely criticized as an effort to delay results and cast doubt on the election process.
On Tuesday, Judge Robert McBurney of the Fulton County Superior Court blocked the implementation of the Hand Count Rule, citing the logistical chaos it could create. In his ruling, McBurney referred to a concurring opinion written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, arguing that state and local election officials need significant time to prepare for the complexity of running statewide elections. Attempting to implement the hand-count rule just days before Election Day would pose an unreasonable burden, he explained.
“This election season is fraught; memories of January 6 have not faded away, regardless of one’s view of that date’s fame or infamy,” McBurney wrote. “Anything that adds uncertainty and disorder to the electoral process disserves the public.” The judge further noted that while the rule might be considered for future elections, the state’s election boards need more time to properly plan, train, and budget for such a procedure. His ruling enjoined the rule’s enforcement for the upcoming election while the court further reviews the case.
McBurney’s decision ensures that election results in Georgia will be processed more efficiently than if the hand count rule had been enforced. The absence of the hand count rule means that election results will likely be available much faster on election night, avoiding potential delays caused by manual counting.
This is the second ruling by McBurney in recent weeks to prevent potential election-related chaos. Earlier, he issued a separate order mandating that Georgia’s election results must be certified by local officials, regardless of any perceived issues with the voting process. This ruling came after Fulton County election board member Julie Adams argued that local officials should have the discretion to refuse to certify results if they suspected fraud or errors.
McBurney rejected that argument, stating that certifying results is not optional. In an 11-page ruling, he emphasized that local officials have a “mandatory fixed obligation” to certify election outcomes. “If election superintendents were, as Plaintiff urges, free to play investigator, prosecutor, jury, and judge and so—because of a unilateral determination of error or fraud—refuse to certify election results, Georgia voters would be silenced,” McBurney wrote. “Our Constitution and our Election Code do not allow for that to happen.”
Georgia remains a key battleground state in this election cycle, and controversies surrounding election administration have only heightened tensions. With the memory of the January 6 Capitol riot still fresh, both parties are watching the process closely for any signs of irregularities or attempts to undermine the vote. The lawsuits challenging various aspects of Georgia’s election procedures are part of a broader national trend, as election laws and processes come under increased scrutiny across the country.
Despite these legal battles, voters in Georgia have shown up in record numbers to cast their ballots early. The sheer volume of early votes demonstrates the high stakes of this election, not only for Georgia but for the national political landscape. The swift dismissal of the Hand Count Rule and the affirmation of the obligation to certify results reflect a judiciary determined to maintain order and transparency amid a politically charged environment.
In the days ahead, Georgia voters can expect election results to be processed and certified promptly, without the delays and confusion that could have resulted from manual ballot counting. As McBurney’s rulings make clear, the election process must remain efficient and trustworthy, ensuring that every vote counts while minimizing the risk of chaos.
The record-breaking turnout in Georgia is a testament to the voters’ determination, even in the face of natural disasters and political challenges. The path forward, however, will depend on the smooth certification of results, free from the interference or doubt that some factions have attempted to introduce. With McBurney’s orders in place, Georgia is set to avoid significant disruptions, focusing instead on the swift and secure processing of ballots.
