Georgia Election Commission Chairman John Favier on Monday criticized his Republican colleagues after the state passed new election rules for hand-counting ballots.
Fervier, exclusive interview The Atlanta Journal-Constitution called his Republican colleagues “inappropriate and unprofessional.”
“Our job is to clarify the law, not create new laws,” he said in an interview. “This doesn't have to be an activist committee. This committee needs to stay within its boundaries.”
Furvier, who was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R), later added. “As a member of this board, I have witnessed numerous character assassinations that are inappropriate and unprofessional conduct,” he added.
The interview was conducted ahead of an upcoming court hearing centered on a lawsuit seeking to undo new rules requiring each ballot to be counted by hand in local precincts, despite concerns from officials. . The changes were approved less than two months before Election Day, and were approved by the board in a 3-2 vote late last month.
Although Mr. Favier describes himself as a “traditional conservative,” his role as board chairman has been criticized by his Republican colleagues, especially those supported by former President Trump, according to the Journal Constitution. “I lost it,'' he claimed.
“We all represent all voters in Georgia and we should act as such,” Farvier told the outlet. “This hyper-partisanship doesn't help anyone, and it certainly doesn't help this board. And I think it creates divisiveness.”
Janelle King, one of three board members who support Mr. Trump, previously voted in favor of the change, suggesting accuracy was more important than timing.
“I can guarantee you as a voter that I would rather wait another hour to make sure the tallies are accurate than have the tallies and numbers within that hour and know the results after the election is over. “The certification has already taken place, but some people are suing because the tally was not accurate,” she said after the vote.
Fervier told the Journal Constitution that counting ballots by hand could delay results until the morning after Election Day.
Trump praised the Peach State's new election rules at a recent campaign event.
As a battleground state in 2024, Georgia will play a key role in determining who wins the White House in November. The former president won the state by five points in 2016, but lost to President Biden in 2020 by less than half a point.
