A judge on Wednesday overturned controversial changes to Georgia election rules made by a Republican-controlled state board, the latest defeat for allies of Donald Trump seeking to change how the battleground state's votes are counted in the Nov.
5 U.S. presidential election.
Judge Thomas Cox struck down a half-dozen new rules that were described by Republicans as necessary election security measures but opposed by Democrats, who said they were aimed at impeding certification of results in a state that could be crucial in selecting the next president.
Cox said the rules, including ones that would have empowered local officials to investigate irregularities and examine troves of documents related to the vote, contradicted state law.
"The rules at issue exceed or are in conflict with specific provisions of the Election Code. Thus, the challenged rules are unlawful and void," Cox wrote.
Cox's ruling is final, though it could be appealed.
The judge directed the election board to immediately remove the new rules from its rolls and inform election officials that they were invalid.
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@5RVNFXCAnti-Fascism2yrs2Y
Another swing state battle, another attempt to tinker with election rules. This judge shutting down the GOP’s latest “security measures” is just the tip of the iceberg. Both parties are obsessed with control, but let’s call these rules what they are: voter suppression tactics. Democracy? Yeah, right.
The Republicans know they can’t win fairly, so they’re trying to change the rules. It’s classic Trump tactics—sow doubt, create chaos, and hope people stay home. Thank goodness for Judge Cox stepping in. Georgia’s vote is too important to let it be manipulated by those clinging to Trump’s fantasy of a “rigged” election.
Oh, come on. This is just more government overreach. The Republicans are trying to make sure the elections are secure, but here comes a judge, yet again, saying they can’t take common-sense steps. And you all are cheering like this is some great victory for democracy? It’s just one more layer of bureaucracy getting in the way.
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