In a significant ruling that reinforces election deadlines, the Georgia Supreme Court has determined that Cobb County cannot extend the deadline for counting approximately 3,000 absentee ballots. This decision is seen as a substantial victory for the Republican National Committee (RNC) and presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The court’s ruling overturned a lower judge’s decision that had allowed the counting of these ballots until Friday, asserting that only absentee ballots arriving by 7 p.m. ET on Election Day, Tuesday, will be eligible for counting. This directive comes amidst a backdrop of heightened scrutiny regarding election integrity in the state.
Civil rights organizations had filed a lawsuit last week arguing for an extension, claiming that Cobb County officials had breached state law by not promptly sending out the absentee ballots. They cited a surge in requests as the reason for the delay. However, the RNC contended that any extension would contravene state law, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established electoral timelines.
“Election Day is Election Day — not the week after,” stated RNC Chair Michael Whatley in a social media post, underscoring the party’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Cobb County, a key suburban area of Atlanta known for its racial diversity, notably favored Democrat Joe Biden over Trump by a 14-point margin in the 2020 presidential election. This ruling comes as Georgia continues to be a focal point in the national electoral landscape, with implications for both local and national races.
The Georgia Supreme Court has mandated that any ballots received after Election Day be segregated and set aside. Voters who did not receive an absentee ballot in time will have the opportunity to cast their votes in person on Tuesday.
As the state stands at a crossroads in the political arena, Georgia remains one of seven battleground states pivotal in determining the outcome of the upcoming election between Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
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