Georgia judge blocks rule requiring clerks to hand count number of ballots

FILE PHOTO: A Cobb County resident enters the King Spring Baptist Church voting precinct to cast their ballot during the Georgia Presidential Primary Election, in Smyrna, Georgia, U.S., March 12, 2024. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo

(Reuters) -A Georgia judge on Tuesday temporarily halted a rule requiring clerks to verify vote totals by hand counting ballots in the 2024 election.

Judge Robert McBurney said in his Tuesday ruling that it was appropriate to pause the change because it introduced fresh uncertainty into the process just weeks before Election Day.