What to know about the Georgia election rules the Trump-backed Republican majority approved

Early voting in Georgia starts October 15, but even before the first vote is cast, critics say that Georgia Republicans are preparing a framework that could be used to contest the results of the election.

Early voting in Georgia starts October 15, but even before the first vote is cast, critics say that Georgia Republicans are preparing a framework that could be used to contest the results of the election. The five-member state election board, tasked with ministerial duties ahead of the election, last week pushed the limits of their power and passed new rules less than 90 days before the general election. Board meetings that are historically sparsely attended were at times packed with partisan supporters of former President Donald Trump. Some outfitted in MAGA gear were on hand and vocal in their reactions to the normally monotonous hearings. Georgia’s 16 electoral votes are crucial for both Trump and Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. President Joe Biden won the state by just over 10,000 votes in 2020. Three new, relatively unknown Republicans, who were appointed to the board this year by the state legislature and the Georgia GOP, were thrust into the spotlight after Trump mentioned them by name at one of his recent rallies in Atlanta. The mention by Trump raised red flags for critics of the new board who believe the State Election Board’s GOP members are working – officially or not – to appease the former president who has made Georgia a target of his false claim of massive voter fraud.