The Georgia Republican Party and Republican National Committee are seeking to reinstate rules aimed at strengthening election integrity that were overturned by a Fulton County judge. Judge Thomas Cox ruled last week that the state election board exceeded its authority in implementing these changes, arguing that those powers belong to the Georgia General Assembly.

The judge “exemplified the worst of judicial activism,” RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said Oct. 17, before the RNC asked the Georgia Supreme Court on Friday to reinstate the board’s recent rule changes which would, in part, allow county election officials to hand over… count paper ballots on election night.

“By striking down the common-sense rules adopted by the Georgia State Board of Elections to safeguard Georgia’s elections, the judge sided with Democrats in their attacks on the transparency, accountability and integrity of our elections,” Whatley added, saying the call is necessary to “ensure sanity.” rules are in place for elections – we will not let this stand.

At the heart of the dispute are new rules introduced by the Georgia state election board, including hand counting of paper ballots and expanding access for poll watchers. The new rules were adopted on September 20, less than 50 days before the general election.

On Oct. 19, the GOP petitioners then asked the state Supreme Court to stay Cox’s decision and allow the rules to take effect while the appeal continues. A decision on this request is expected soon, according to Democracy file.

“After considering the Emergency Motion to Vacate, the Court will consider the remainder of Petitioners’ Motion for Expedited Appeal,” the state Supreme Court said in its Oct. 18 decision agreeing to review the appeal of the RNC.

The six other rules struck down by Cox would require a “reasonable investigation” by local officials before certifying results, give county election board members access to election-related materials generated during the conduct of the election , would require mail-in ballot deliverers to provide a signature and photo ID. upon delivery, require monitoring and recording of authorized drop boxes after polls close, expand poll monitoring areas, and add new rules for the county board of registrars to report information on postal votes.

These rules were to apply in the presidential election but were blocked by Cox’s decision. Republicans say these measures are crucial for transparency and security. The RNC, in its appeal, emphasized that the new rules were intended to ensure the accuracy of election results and maintain public confidence in the system.

Concerns about Georgia’s election management have continued on the right since former President Donald Trump narrowly lost the state in 2020 by about 11,000 votes, sparking allegations of “voter fraud” and even leading to indictments against the former president.

Janelle King, a member of the Georgia state election board and one of the key Trump-aligned figures behind the rule changes, defended the board’s actions, saying the new regulations were intended to protect integrity Georgian elections.

“It was a Republican who filed the complaint against us, so it’s not a partisan issue,” King said at the news conference. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Politically Georgia podcast.

King expressed disappointment with the backlash the board faced, noting that some of the rules had support from local election officials.

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“I’m really more disappointed in the fact that I feel like the pendulum has swung,” King said on the podcast, referring to opposition to the board’s actions.

The stakes of the state Supreme Court’s decision will be high not only for the 2024 general election, which polls show is close in the Peach State, but also for how future election rules will be developed and applied in the State.