On Monday, a judge in Georgia decided that local electoral board members must certify election results in the state, regardless of whether there are suspicions of fraud or mistakes.
Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney wrote, “If election superintendents were, as Plaintiff urges, free to play investigator, prosecutor, jury, and judge and so — because of a unilateral determination of error or fraud — refuse to certify election results, Georgia voters would be silenced. Our Constitution and our Election Code do not allow for that to happen.”
Julie Adams, a member of the Fulton County election board, brought the case before the judge, arguing that she had taken an oath to “prevent any fraud, deceit, or abuse,” which gave her the authority to refuse to certify election results if she thought they were inaccurate or untrustworthy, according to USA Today.
A portion of Adams’ legal request for access to papers was granted by McBurney, who said that unless otherwise protected by law or regulation, election information should be “promptly provided” if county election board officials decide they require it from their staff. The judge pointed out that “any delay in receiving such information is not a basis for refusing to certify the election results or abstaining from doing so.”
According to the judge, the county election board members must continue tally all the votes but submit any suspicions to a prosecutor if they find evidence of fraud. The state had until November 12 to certify the results, and the decision was made three weeks prior to election day.
According to reports, several House Democrats have shown reluctance to recognize the election results in the event that Trump wins in November.
