There are less than 48-thousand ballots outstanding in Georgia. This includes approximately 17,000 in Chatham, 6,000 in Clayton, 7,300 in Fulton and 48-00 in Gwinnett, along with some in a few in rural counties as well.
According to the Associated Press, the margin of victory in the presidential race in the state could be as few as 1,000 votes.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s office held a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Gabriel Sterling, former chief operating officer for Brad Raffensperger, provided some context for why the vote count was taking so long.
“People have asked why hasn’t the number moved more quickly, well as you know the law calls for all absentee ballots to be accepted by 7 pm on Election Day,” according to Sterling. “And in our case in Georgia, especially when they come in right before or on Election Day itself, we have to get notification out to those people that they have three days to come in and cure their ballots.”
Sterling said accuracy was the most important factor in the process.
“We’re working to get those done today if possible; and we’re working with the counties who might be having questions about how to do this properly. Because the main thing we want to do, fast is great and we appreciate fast. We more appreciate accuracy. Accuracy is going to be the bedrock upon which people will believe the outcomes of these elections, be it on the winning side or the losing side. So accuracy is vital and it’s the key to all to all of our processes.”
This is the first time Georgia has used paper ballots in more than 20 years 28 years.
As the votes tighten, Republican U.S. Sen. David Perdue could face a runoff against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff.
