8 Key Benchmarks to Monitor in Georgia Vote Counting, Certification Process and Guard Against Election Subversion
Informing Democracy issues new guide detailing each step of Georgia’s vote counting, and certification processes to help reporters, and pro-democracy allies safeguard against election subversion.
Group Pinpoints 8 Crucial Benchmarks To Watch After Polls Close To Identify Potential Breakdowns In The System
Guide Identifies Georgia State and Local Official Responsible For Each Step Of the Process To Ensure Accountability
Informing Democracy Will Run Rapid Response Identifying Real-Time Problems In Georgia After Polls Close
Background Briefings Available For Reporters Upon Request
Full Guide Can Be Found Here
Today, Informing Democracy, a new non-profit organization made up of election professionals, researchers, and lawyers, released a detailed report that analyzes the process, practice, and personnel involved in Georgia’s vote counting and election certification to help reporters and watchdogs safeguard against any attempts at election subversion.
The report outlines Georgia’s multi-step process to count votes and certify results, as well as the specific officials who are responsible for each step. Importantly, the group identified eight key benchmarks in the process the days and weeks after polls close that watchers should pay close attention to in order to check that there aren’t any breakdowns in the system perpetrated by those attempting to subvert the election. Further, it indicates each state and local official with responsibility for any step in which a breakdown occurs.
The goal of the report is to 1) to build confidence in the vote counting and election certification processes by showing, in detail, the systems, checks, and quality assurance steps in place; and 2) to allow pro-democracy partners and reporters to better monitor our elections, target corrective action, and, in turn, protect the integrity of our elections from potential vulnerabilities.
“We undertook this project in response to the growing movement to subvert the outcome of free and fair elections, and the known and documented support from some elected and appointed officials in that effort,” says the report. “While anti-democratic forces once focused most of their attention on compromising access to voting, they have taken new aim at the vote counting and election certification processes. Although we have not seen election results overturned as a result, this movement is gaining momentum, and the threat is real.”
Informing Democracy will be doing rapid response beginning on Election Day identifying real time problems before and after the vote counting and election certification processes get under way.
The full guide can be found here.
Eight Key Benchmarks To Watch For After The Polls Close
The following are eight key and observable steps in the exhaustive step-by-step processes of vote counting and election certification in Georgia and will help outside watchers track if the process is progressing smoothly, or if problems are impeding these essential activities.
These benchmark steps encompass the vote tabulation, internal error checking, canvassing, and certification decision points that could present evidence of any subversion efforts.
Completion of Count. Look for the unofficial results starting at 7pm on Election Night and continuing as they are released.
Counting of Early Absentee Ballots. Look for unofficial results.
Counting of Provisional Ballots. No later than 5pm on the Friday after the election.
Audit. Look for possible updates from the Secretary of State or county election officials.
County Certification. Look for this to occur no later than 5pm on the Monday after the election at the completion of tabulation and canvass.
Recounts. Recounts begin two business days following certification by the county. If the margin is less than 0.5% candidates have a right to a recount.
Hearing of §229 Voter Challenge. These are not always processed before certification. However, the hearing must occur no later than 10 days following the registrars serving notice of the challenge.
State Certification. Look for this to occur no later than 5pm on the 17th day after the election.