Georgia Republicans’ Election Certification Policy: A Threat to Democracy

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

Support African Elements at patreon.com/africanelements and hear recent news in a single playlist. Additionally, you can gain early access to ad-free video content.

A woman with a serious expression is sitting at a table in a large meeting room, surrounded by many other people who are seated and focused on various tasks. She is signing a document labeled "UNFOUNDED CLAIMS." A camera operator is recording the scene up close, with a large professional camera prominently visible in the foreground. The room has a modern design with a high ceiling and rows of skylights allowing natural light to filter in. The overall atmosphere is one of intense focus and formal seriousness.
Georgia Republicans election certification policy could undermine democracy fueled by Trumps fraud allegations impacting the 2024 presidential election in Georgia Image generated by DALL E
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Georgia Republicans have implemented a new rule allowing local boards to refuse certifying election results.
This policy change could create chaos in elections, especially in close races.
The new rule may lead to increased distrust in the electoral process nationwide.
Trump’s claims about the 2020 election continue to influence election policy in Georgia.
The Georgia State Election Board holds significant power over local election procedures.
Critics argue that the new certification policy may suppress voter turnout, particularly among minority groups.
Voter fraud remains extremely rare, yet it fuels calls for stricter voting laws.
Georgia plays a crucial role as a battleground state in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
The MAGA movement has successfully integrated “election integrity” into the GOP platform.
There are ongoing efforts to establish safeguards to protect democracy and electoral integrity.
Citizen involvement is essential in defending democracy and ensuring fair elections.

The New Rule That Could Shake Up Georgia’s Elections

Understanding the Policy Change

Georgia Republicans have made a bold move that could turn the state’s elections upside down. They’ve implemented a new rule that lets local election boards refuse to certify election results (NPR). This change has set off alarm bells for many who care about fair elections. It’s not just a small tweak to the system. It’s a big deal that could affect how votes are counted and who decides if they count.

Election Security Rumors vs. Reality

Election Security Rumor vs. Reality | CISA This chart shows various aspects of election security. The values represent the number of instances or percentage of implementation for each security measure. A higher number indicates better security preparedness.

The new policy gives local boards more power. They can now say “no” to election results they don’t like. This is a big shift from how things used to work. Before, these boards mostly just checked the math and ensured all the votes were counted correctly. Now, they have the power to reject results outright. This change could lead to big fights over who won, especially in close races.

Why does this matter so much? Georgia is a swing state. That means elections there are often very close. Even a small number of votes can make a big difference. If local boards start refusing to certify results, it could throw the whole election into chaos. It’s a scary thought for anyone who believes in fair elections.

The Potential Impact on Democracy

This new rule isn’t just about Georgia. It could affect the whole country. Here’s why:

  • It sets a dangerous example for other states
  • It could lead to more distrust in elections
  • It might discourage people from voting
  • It could give too much power to local officials

The policy change comes at a time when trust in elections is already shaky. Some people still believe false claims about the 2020 election. This new rule could make things worse. It gives fuel to those who want to question election results, which is not good for democracy.

Election experts are worried. They say this rule could be used to spread more false claims about voting. It’s like giving a megaphone to people who want to cry “fraud” without any proof. This could make it harder for everyone to trust the voting process.

Trump’s Influence on Election Certification

The Former President’s Ongoing Claims

Donald Trump’s shadow looms large over this issue. He’s still claiming the 2020 election was stolen, even though there’s no proof. His supporters are using these claims to push for changes like the one in Georgia. They say it’s about “election integrity,” but many see it as a way to control election outcomes (AP News).

Trump’s team isn’t sitting on the sidelines. They’re actively involved in pushing these changes. In Fulton County, Georgia, a group linked to Trump filed a lawsuit. They want to let a Republican on the local elections board reject primary election results. This shows how serious they are about using these new rules to their advantage.

The impact of Trump’s claims goes beyond Georgia. Here’s what’s happening:

  1. Other states are considering similar rules
  2. Lawsuits are being filed to challenge election procedures
  3. Some officials are refusing to certify results in protest
  4. There’s growing distrust in the election system

The GOP’s Stance on Election Integrity

The Republican Party says these changes are about making elections more secure. They point to concerns about voter fraud. However, studies show that voter fraud is very rare. Critics say these rules make it harder for some people to vote.

Many GOP leaders have backed Trump’s claims about the 2020 election, leading to a push for stricter voting laws across the country. In Georgia, laws have already been passed that make it harder to vote by mail and give the state more control over local election boards. The new certification rule is just the latest step in this direction.

The party’s focus on “election integrity” has become a key issue for many Republican voters. It’s driving policy changes and shaping how the party talks about elections. But it’s also causing deep divisions within the party and across the country.

The 2024 Presidential Election: Georgia’s Crucial Role

Georgia as a Battleground State

Georgia isn’t just any state when it comes to elections. It’s a key battleground that could decide who becomes president. In 2020, Joe Biden won Georgia by a tiny margin – less than 12,000 votes. That’s why every change to election rules there matters so much.

The new certification policy could significantly impact 2024. If the election is closed again, local boards could refuse to certify the results, leading to lengthy legal battles and uncertainty. It might even affect who gets Georgia’s electoral votes.

Here’s why Georgia is so important for 2024:

  • It has 16 electoral votes
  • It’s been trending more competitive in recent years
  • Both parties are investing heavily in the state
  • It could be the tipping point in a close election

Potential Scenarios and Concerns

Election experts are worried about what might happen in Georgia in 2024. They’re picturing some scary scenarios:

  1. Local boards refusing to certify results in close races
  2. Long court battles over which votes should count
  3. Delays in knowing who won the state
  4. Growing distrust in the election process
  5. Possible protests or unrest over disputed results

These concerns aren’t just hypothetical. We’ve already seen disputes over certification in other states. In 2022, some counties in New Mexico refused to certify primary results. It took a court order to make them do it. Something similar could happen in Georgia, but with much higher stakes.

The Role of the Georgia State Election Board

Powers and Responsibilities

The Georgia State Election Board plays a big role in all of this. They approved the new certification rule. This board has a lot of power over how elections are run in the state. It can make rules, investigate problems, and even take over local election offices.

Under the new policy, the State Election Board could intervene if local boards refuse to certify results. But it’s not clear how this would work in practice. There are worries that the board could be influenced by political pressure. This could lead to even more disputes over election results.

The board’s powers include:

  • Setting rules for elections
  • Investigating election problems
  • Hearing complaints about local election officials
  • Taking over local election offices if needed

Criticisms and Controversies

Georgia Election Security Measures

The Elections Division of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office This chart displays various election security measures implemented in Georgia. The values represent the number of days for early voting and binary indicators (1 for implemented, 0 for not implemented) for other measures.

The State Election Board has faced much criticism over this new rule. Critics say it gives too much power to local boards that might be politically biased. They worry that the rule could be used to suppress votes, especially in areas with many minority voters.

There are also concerns about how the board itself is set up. Most of its members are appointed by the Republican-controlled legislature. This has led to accusations that the board is too partisan. Some say it’s unfair for one party to have so much control over election rules.

The controversies don’t stop there. The board has been criticized for:

  1. Not doing enough to protect voting rights
  2. Being too slow to investigate election problems
  3. Making it harder for some people to vote
  4. Not being transparent enough about its decisions

Voter Fraud Allegations: Separating Fact from Fiction

The Reality of Voter Fraud in the US

Voter fraud is a hot topic, but what’s the truth? Studies show it’s very rare. The Brennan Center for Justice found that fraud occurs in between 0.0003% and 0.0025% of all votes cast. That’s tiny, but some people still claim it’s a big problem.

Why do these claims persist? Some say it’s about politics, not facts. Talking about voter fraud can be a way to push for stricter voting laws. But these laws often make it harder for some groups to vote, especially minorities and poor people.

Here are some facts about voter fraud:

  • It’s more rare than being struck by lightning
  • Most cases are mistakes, not fraud
  • Strict voter ID laws don’t stop the few cases that do happen
  • Mail-in voting is safe and secure

The Impact of Fraud Claims on Public Trust

Even though voter fraud is rare, claims about it can do real harm. They can make people lose faith in elections, leading to lower voter turnout and more political fighting. It’s a big problem for democracy.

The impact of these claims goes beyond just elections. They can affect how people see their government and each other. When people don’t trust the voting process, it’s harder for the country to unite and solve problems.

Here’s how fraud claims affect public trust:

  1. They make some people think their vote doesn’t matter
  2. They can lead to unnecessary and harmful voting restrictions
  3. They give cover to efforts to overturn election results
  4. They increase political polarization and distrust

The MAGA Movement’s Influence on Elections

Strategies and Goals

The MAGA movement, started by Donald Trump, has greatly impacted how we talk about elections. They’ve made “election integrity” a vital issue for many Republicans. But critics say their real goal is to control election outcomes, not make them fairer.

MAGA supporters have pushed for changes like the one in Georgia. They want more power to challenge election results they don’t like. This fits with Trump’s claims about the 2020 election. It’s part of a more significant strategy to shape future elections.

The movement’s election strategies include:

  • Pushing for stricter voting laws
  • Challenging election results in court
  • Promoting claims of widespread voter fraud
  • Trying to change how votes are counted and certified

Voter ID Laws in the United States

Voter ID Laws – National Conference of State Legislatures This pie chart shows the distribution of states with and without voter ID laws. The chart represents the number of states in each category out of the total 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

Pushback and Resistance

Not everyone is on board with the MAGA movement’s election plans. There’s been strong pushback from voting rights groups, Democrats, and even some Republicans. They say these efforts threaten democracy and could lead to chaos in future elections.

Courts have mostly rejected claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, but the movement keeps pushing. This has led to a lot of political fighting and legal battles, as well as efforts to protect voting rights and make elections more secure.

The resistance to MAGA election efforts includes:

  1. Lawsuits to block new voting restrictions
  2. Campaigns to educate voters about their rights
  3. Efforts to improve election security without limiting access
  4. Pushback from election officials of both parties

Protecting Democracy and Electoral Integrity

Proposed Solutions and Safeguards

With all these challenges, what can be done to protect democracy? Many experts say we need more robust safeguards for elections. This could mean new laws, better training for election workers, and more transparency in how votes are counted.

Some proposed solutions include:

  • Making Election Day a national holiday
  • Expanding early voting and mail-in options
  • Improving election security technology
  • Creating clearer rules for certifying election results
  • Increasing funding for election administration

These ideas aim to make voting easier and more secure and to build trust in the election process. But getting everyone to agree on changes isn’t easy. There’s still much debate about the best way forward.

The Role of Citizens in Upholding Democratic Processes

Protecting democracy isn’t just up to politicians and election officials. Regular citizens play a big role too. Voting is important, but it’s not the only way to get involved. People can volunteer as poll workers, join voting rights groups, or just stay informed about election issues.

Here are some ways citizens can help protect democracy:

  1. Register to vote and help others do the same
  2. Learn about local election rules and candidates
  3. Report any signs of voter intimidation or fraud
  4. Support organizations that protect voting rights
  5. Talk to friends and family about the importance of voting

By getting involved, people can help ensure fair elections and everyone’s voice is heard. It’s a big job but crucial for strengthening our democracy.

Conclusion: The Future of Election Certification in Georgia

The new rule in Georgia that allows local boards to refuse to certify election results is a big deal. It could change how elections work in the state and even affect national races. This policy fits into a bigger picture of efforts to change election rules nationwide.

As we look ahead to 2024, Georgia will be a key state to watch. The new certification rule could lead to disputes and legal battles. It might even affect who becomes president. That’s why it’s so important for voters to stay informed and involved.

Protecting democracy and ensuring fair elections is everyone’s job. It takes strong laws, good election officials, and active citizens. As Georgia shows, even small changes to election rules can have big impacts. The future of our democracy depends on getting these details right.

FAQ

Q: What is the new election certification rule in Georgia?
A: The new rule allows local election boards to refuse to certify election results, which can lead to disputes and chaos in determining the outcomes of elections.

Q: Why is this policy change significant for Georgia’s elections?
A: Georgia is a swing state with close elections. This rule could disrupt the certification process, potentially leading to legal battles and affecting trust in the electoral system.

Q: How might this new rule impact democracy in other states?
A: It could set a precedent for other states to adopt similar rules, increase distrust in elections, discourage voter participation, and give excessive power to local officials over electoral outcomes.

Q: What role does Donald Trump play in influencing Georgia’s election rules?
A: Trump continues to claim the 2020 election was stolen and his supporters are pushing for changes like the new rule in Georgia, under the guise of “election integrity.”

Q: What concerns do experts have about the future of elections in Georgia?
A: Experts fear that local boards may refuse to certify results in tight races, leading to extensive court cases and delays in announcing election outcomes.

Q: What are some proposed solutions to protect democracy and election integrity?
A: Suggestions include making Election Day a national holiday, expanding early voting, improving election security technology, and creating clear rules for certifying election results.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.