Cobb's Board of Elections responds to recent court ruling over hand count rule

The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration (BOER) appreciates Tuesday's ruling issued by a Fulton County Superior Court Judge, temporarily suspending the Hand Count Rule.

On October 15, 2024, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney entered an order enjoining the Hand Count Rule, which was adopted by the Georgia State Election Board (SEB), less than two months prior to the November election. This rule would have required poll workers to hand count ballots (note votes) in Cobb County's 148 precincts on Election Night following the closing of the polls.

In his order, Judge McBurney cited the limited time to train workers on the procedure and noted, "Anything that adds uncertainty and disorder to the electoral process disserves the public."

The order was granted following the Cobb BOER's filing on October 2nd seeking clarity over the SEB rules and a temporary restraining order to delay county election officials' obligation to comply with the Rule given the quickly approaching election. The order enjoins the enforcement of the Hand Count Rule while the Court determines the merits of the claims in the case. Both the Georgia Attorney General's Office and the Secretary of State have expressed doubts about the validity of the Hand Count Rule and several other rules recently adopted by the SEB, leading Cobb BOER to seek clarity from the Court about the enforceability of those rules.

"Given that early voting has already begun for this election, the Cobb BOER greatly appreciates the Court's thoughtful and expedient consideration of this matter," says Tori Silas, Cobb BOER Chairwoman. "The Cobb BOER's central mission is to ensure that elections are conducted honestly, efficiently, and uniformly, and yesterday's ruling was in support of us accomplishing that mission."