In a divisive move, the Georgia State Election Board, which includes allies of former President Donald Trump, voted 3-2 in favor of a new rule requiring hand-counting of ballots cast at polling places on Election Day. The decision was met with bipartisan objections from election officials and poll workers. The three Trump allies on the board supported the rule, while a Democratic and independent GOP-appointed member strongly opposed it, expressing concerns about potential delays in the election results in the battleground state.

The decision was made despite warnings from the office of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, that the rule could be unlawful as it goes against existing state laws. Carr's office cautioned that implementing such changes so close to the election could be deemed invalid and might infringe upon the General Assembly's constitutional right to legislate. The Attorney General's office also raised concerns about proposed expansions for poll watchers and adjustments to mail-in ballot procedures, warning that these changes could face legal challenges if implemented.

State Election Board member Janelle King, one of the Republican members praised by former President Trump, defended the controversial rule, stating that it was necessary to address concerns about election integrity. However, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, criticized the timing of the decision, pointing out that with early voting set to begin on October 15, the proposed changes could disrupt the election process. Raffensperger's lawyer also highlighted that many poll workers had already completed their training, making it logistically challenging to implement new rules just weeks before the General Election.

The reshaping of the election board in Georgia, a critical battleground state, underscores the influence of Republicans who have questioned the integrity of the 2020 presidential election and are now spearheading changes to election procedures. The fallout from the disputed 2020 election, where Trump sought unsuccessfully to overturn his loss in Georgia, has led to a restructuring of the state election board and raised concerns about the impartiality and transparency of the electoral process in the state.