Republican-led group sues to block Georgia rule requiring hand count of ballots

ATLANTA (AP) — A Republican-led group is challenging Georgia’s new requirement that poll workers count the total number of ballots by hand, saying it’s another example of the State Election Board overstepping its legal authority.

Eternal Vigilance Action amended its existing lawsuit on Wednesday to also challenge that rule adopted Friday by the board.

The group, founded and led by former state Rep. Scot Turner, a Republican, was already suing the board over rules that it earlier adopted on certifying votes, a step that finalizes results. One of those rules provides for an undefined “reasonable inquiry” before county election officials certify while another allows county election officials “to examine all election related documentation created during the conduct of elections.”

Turner’s lawsuit is scheduled for an Oct. 4 hearing before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas Cox. Eternal Vigilance Action is asking Cox to overturn the rules, or at least put them on hold until after November’s presidential election.

The new ballot counting rule and two others having to do with county certification of vote totals were passed by a majority on the board made up of three Republican partisans who have been praised by former President Donald Trump. The rules have raised alarms among Democrats, voting rights groups and others who fear they could be used to cause chaos and undermine confidence in the election results in this crucial swing state if Trump loses to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

Turner, however, said in a telephone interview that his lawsuit is motivated by his view of constitutional principles, saying the board is part of the executive branch that is intruding on powers reserved for legislators.