by Robin Kemp
President Donald Trump is seeking a recount in Georgia for the 2020 Presidential race.
Trump is allowed to ask Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger for the full recount because less than half a percentage point separates him from his opponent, President-elect Joseph Biden.
The recount will be done by machine, not by hand.
Gov. Brian Kemp certified the November 3 election results on Friday after state elections workers completed Georgia’s first-ever hand-counted risk limiting audit. The results confirmed that Biden won the election by 12,670 votes. However, Kemp later called for a recount.
Kemp and Trump say they want to match signatures to ballots. However, by Georgia law, voter signatures are matched twice prior to any ballots being counted and, because the ballots have been taken out of the signed envelopes, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says it’s not possible to match those envelopes and ballots.
Early and advance voting for the December 1 Fifth Congressional District runoff between Kwanza Hall and Robert M. Franklin is underway around the county and continues Monday, November 23 through Wednesday, November 25, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations, according to the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page:
- Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center, 3499 Rex Road, Rex
- Historic Courthouse, 121 S. McDonough St., Jonesboro
- Morrow Municipal Complex, 1500 Morrow Road, Morrow
- Virginia Burton Gray Recreation Center, 1475 E. Fayetteville Road, Riverdale
The winner will finish out the last month or so of the late Rep. John Lewis’ term.
On Wednesday, November 25 at 9 a.m., the Clayton County Board says it plans to start processing absentee ballots for the December 1, 2020 Special Elections. This involves opening the envelopes and scanning in the ballots. The process will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 7946 N. McDonough Street (“the Bunker”) until finished. Any changes or suspensions in activity will be posted on a sign on the door.
According to Elections Supervisor Shauna Dozier, “Early processing of absentee ballots shall be controlled, such that ballot secrecy is maintained. The collection or disclosure of any balloting information before the close of the polls at 7 p.m. on Election Day is strictly prohibited.”
In addition, “Any members of the public who wish to observe will be required to check in, receive a badge, take an oath, and relinquish cell phones or other electronic recording devices prior to viewing this process.”
Absentee ballots will be tabulated for the December 1 special election starting at 7 a.m. on Election Day in the same location and will continue until the count is complete.
For more information, call the Clayton County Board of Elections and Registration Office at (770) 477-3372.
