Georgia Judge Blocks Hand-Counting Of Ballots Rule In Another Blow To State’s GOP Election Officials

A Georgia judge late on Tuesday blocked a new rule passed that required hand counting of ballots on election night, delivering another blow to GOP election officials in the state—many of whom falsely blame election fraud for Donald Trump’s loss in the state in 2020—just hours after the same judge issued another ruling requiring local officials to certify election results.

In his ruling, Georgia Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said the hand count rule was “too much, too late” as he halted its enforcement while the court “considers the merits” of the case.