Senator Raphael Warnock D-GA sharply criticized Georgia’s new hand-counted ballot rule, calling it an effort to turn the democracy on its head.
Speaking on MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki, Warnock suggested that this rule change, coming less than 50 days before Election Day, is a sign that opponents are aware of the momentum behind candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris.
Warnock expressed concerns that the new rule, which requires local precincts to hand-count ballots in addition to machine counting, could disrupt the electoral process.
He drew a parallel to the chaotic 2000 Florida recount, emphasizing that Georgia does not need a similar situation.
Warnock’s remarks reflect broader concerns from election officials, including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who previously voiced opposition to hand-counting ballots.
Raffensperger cited legal concerns, referencing Attorney General Chris Carr’s assessment that the rules might not withstand a legal challenge.
Despite pushback, the Georgia Election Board voted 3-2 to enforce the hand-counting requirement, raising tensions over election security and fairness.