Georgia approves election rule that could delay vote certification

Republican-controlled board adopts new rule that gives local officials more power to investigate votes after election

The Georgia state election board approved a new rule on Monday that gives local officials more power to investigate votes after election day, increasing concerns the Republican-controlled body is steamrolling a series of consequential changes that could pave the way for chaos this fall.

The rule approved Monday authorizes any member on a county board of election to examine all election related documentation created during the conduct of elections prior to certification of results". Even though Georgia law still requires certification of the vote by 5pm the Monday after election day, experts are concerned that these maneuvers give election deniers significant leeway to slow down the certification process and create uncertainty.