Runoff ballots get hand count as Kemp signs new recount rules, expanding audits on July 1

Editor’s note: the above video is from previous coverage.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Election officials across Georgia began hand-counting randomly selected ballot batches from the June 16 primary runoff as part of a statewide audit designed to verify that vote scanners recorded results accurately.

The process, known as a risk-limiting audit, requires all 159 counties to hand-count two contests from the runoff and compare those totals with machine-reported results, according to state and county elections officials.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office used a public dice-roll process to generate a long number that a computer used to select which ballot batches would be pulled for review.

In Fulton County, the hand-count process took place in a secure counting room, where workers handled ballot stacks one at a time and double-checked totals before comparing them with scanner reports.

“It adds transparency and trust to the process to compare those to the machines,” said Blake Evans, elections director for the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.

On Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 3EX, legislation that expands audit requirements and could trigger automatic hand recounts in close races starting July 1.

Rockdale County Elections Supervisor Cynthia Willingham said in her 37-year career, the process is not new, but the workload could be.

“Since 2020, we have performed risk limit audits,” Willingham said. “The difference this time is multiple races.”

Rockdale is one of six counties that would have to implement the new rules almost immediately because of a special election called in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District to replace the late U.S. Rep. David Scott.

Willingham said she was more concerned about November than July, warning that the law does not clearly spell out what happens if hand-count totals do not match machine totals.

“If there’s a discrepancy, how do you resolve it? Which one do you go with?” she said.

Election officials said they were awaiting additional guidance from the secretary of state’s office, and the counties implementing the new requirements first could serve as a test case for staffing, training, and timing ahead of the November election.

Counties began the audit process this week and had until Wednesday to report results, officials said. Election workers and local officials said Kemp’s signature means the expanded audit requirements are set to take effect on July 1.