A Fulton County, Georgia, Superior Court judge ruled that election board members are required to certify election results, regardless of any suspicions of fraud or systemic errors. This decision follows a lawsuit brought by Julie Adams, a member of the Fulton County Board of Registrations and Elections, who argued for full access to election procedures and materials.
Judge Robert McBurney's ruling emphasizes that certification is a mandatory task for election officials. He stated that concerns about potential miscounts or fraud should be reported to a prosecutor but do not justify delaying the certification process. Early voting in Georgia commenced on Tuesday and will continue until November 1, ahead of the upcoming Election Day.
The ruling comes as former President Donald Trump leads in polls against Vice President Kamala Harris in Georgia, a state pivotal in the 2020 election. Trump's narrow loss in Georgia by fewer than 12,000 votes has led to ongoing legal challenges and scrutiny of the election procedures.
Adams previously voted against certifying results from Georgia's March presidential primary, citing a lack of access to requested documents. However, the judge dismissed her arguments, affirming the necessity of certification within a prescribed timeline.
This case is among several challenges to Georgia's election rules, with further hearings scheduled regarding new regulations enacted by the State Election Board, including requirements for hand counting ballots on election night.