**Georgia Election Officials Stand Firm Amidst High Turnout and Persistent Misinformation**

With more than 70 million Americans having cast their votes in the 2024 election, Georgia is once again in the spotlight. Gabriel Sterling, the Chief Operating Officer for the Georgia Secretary of State's office, is prepared to address those who question the integrity of the election results. "I'm sorry that your candidate lost. But the rules are the rules. The law is the law. And the count is the count," stated Sterling, emphasizing the clarity and reliability of the election processes.

By Friday, over half of Georgia's registered voters had participated in early voting, as reported by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office. Both Raffensperger and Sterling had previously confronted unfounded fraud claims during the 2020 election, when Georgia became the focal point for allegations aimed at overturning President Biden's victory.

In 2020, Raffensperger resisted pressure from then-President Donald Trump, asserting that his responsibility was to ensure fair and accurate elections for the people of Georgia. This principled stance against fraud claims, however, led to threats of violence against election workers. Sterling had publicly condemned such threats, warning leaders that their rhetoric could incite violence.

Despite the outbreak of chaos that ensued, including the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Sterling acknowledged the challenge of convincing some individuals about the integrity of the electoral process. "There's some you're never going to convince," he admitted. Yet, he remains hopeful about educating others who have genuine concerns fueled by misinformation.

David Becker, CBS News election consultant, highlighted that instances of election fraud are exceedingly rare and decentralized systems make it almost impossible to manipulate a national election. Extensive investigations by state police, the FBI, and Raffensperger’s office debunked numerous fraud allegations in Georgia, including claims of thousands of underage and non-registered voters.

Furthermore, Becker identified misinformation and disinformation as major contributors to public skepticism. He explained that such false narratives are perpetuated by losing candidates and foreign adversaries, primarily for financial gain. "A lot of this is financial. There's a financial incentive for those who've spread the lies," Becker remarked.

With just days to go before the 2024 election, convincing voters of the system's integrity remains crucial. Paper ballots, which 95% of Americans will use, are emphasized by Becker as a key factor in maintaining voter confidence due to their verifiable and auditable nature.

Local election workers, like those in Cobb County, Georgia, reiterated the importance of direct communication with voters to dispel myths and ensure trust in the process. George Harrison, Beverly Woityra, and Paul Petruska encouraged voters to seek accurate information and engage with election officials rather than relying on unreliable internet sources.

As the 2024 election nears, Sterling is confident about the robustness of the system. "Every state in this country now has poked and prodded and looked at their processes," he said, affirming that rigorous auditing and testing are conducted to guarantee one person, one vote.

Election consultant Becker foresees delays in final results due to the closeness of many races, advising patience. Despite potential misinformation and logistical challenges, Sterling believes the 2024 election will be the "safest and most secure election in history," with the winner being accurately determined, whether it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.