The Georgia Supreme Court has rejected the Republican National Committee’s request to pause a trial court’s decision blocking new Georgia State Election Board rules. The rules, ruled illegal and unconstitutional, were deemed to be invalid by a lower court judge last week. Despite efforts by the Republican Party to fast-track the reinstatement of these rules for the upcoming Nov. 5 general election, the state Supreme Court denied the emergency motion.
The ruling by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Cox Jr. invalidates new election procedures, including hand counting paper ballots and poll watcher access, previously pushed through by right-wing state election officials. The State Election Board is seeking reinstatement of these rules, which have faced criticism from various groups.
Voters in Georgia are turning out in record numbers during the second week of early voting, in what is considered a closely contested swing state. The ongoing legal battle over election rules is adding to the tension surrounding the upcoming election.
Critics of the state election rules argue that they go against the current Georgia election code and could lead to chaos at the polls. The ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court upholds the decision to block the contested rules for the time being. Supporters of the rules see them as necessary for ensuring accurate and fair elections across the state.
The legal battle is ongoing, with the State Election Board and Republican groups continuing to argue their cases. The decision by the Supreme Court to deny the emergency appeal reflects a victory for those opposed to the contested rules.
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