In a significant decision, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Cobb County cannot count absentee ballots that arrive after Election Day, marking a crucial victory for election integrity in one of the nation’s most closely watched battleground states. With Georgia leaning toward President Donald Trump, the ruling underscores the importance of enforcing deadlines in ensuring a transparent election process.
The issue arose when Cobb County failed to mail over 3,000 absentee ballots requested before the deadline. Despite overnighting ballots to voters and providing prepaid return envelopes, a local judge initially ruled that voters could return ballots as late as three days after Election Day, prompting swift appeals.
MAJOR GA SUPREME COURT CASE DECIDED
Cobb County didn't get ballots out as quickly as they should have and tried to change the rules of the game. GA GOP wasn't having it.@JoshMcKoon @JFRadioShow pic.twitter.com/UQWQgkMtBq— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) November 5, 2024
The Republican National Committee and the Georgia GOP took the matter to the Georgia Supreme Court, arguing that state law mandates absentee ballots be returned by the close of polls on Election Day. The state’s highest court agreed, ordering the late ballots to be separated and preventing any post-deadline ballots from being counted.
BREAKING: The Georgia Supreme Court just ruled that ballots cannot be accepted and counted AFTER the deadline by election officials anywhere in the state
Democrats in Cobb County wanted to accept 3,000 mail-in ballots AFTER Election Day deadline, but the Court just shut down… pic.twitter.com/ML7AtOY7Dm
— George (@BehizyTweets) November 4, 2024
For election integrity advocates, this ruling is a major step toward ensuring a fair and transparent process in a critical state. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley praised the decision, saying, “We just got word that we WON the case. Election Day is Election Day — not the week after.”
With Trump considered a favorite in Georgia, the decision solidifies the timeline for absentee voting and supports efforts to keep battleground state results clear and accountable.
