REUTERS/Isaiah J. Downing
A Georgia judge’s decision on Tuesday brought a wave of relief to those concerned that former President Donald Trump might attempt to contest the state’s election results on November 5. Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney struck down a new rule proposed by pro-Trump election board members, which he argued would have effectively silenced Georgia voters.
The ruling hailed as a victory for democracy, ensures that state election boards are required to certify results, regardless of any suspicions of election fraud. Tristen Snell, a former New York prosecutor who famously sued Trump University, celebrated the decision on social media, calling it a significant blow to Trump’s attempts to undermine the election. “Huge victory for democracy,” Snell wrote. “Huge defeat for Trump’s attempts to scuttle the election.”
In his ruling, Judge McBurney emphasized that certifying election results is a mandatory process under Georgia law, leaving no room for election boards to withhold or delay certification. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, McBurney stated, “No election board may refuse to certify or abstain from certifying election results under any circumstances.” The judge made it clear that any attempt to block certification would violate the rights of Georgia voters. “Georgia voters would be silenced,” McBurney wrote. “Our Constitution and our election code do not allow for that to happen.”
The ruling also drew praise from key figures within Georgia’s political sphere. Gabriel Sterling, the conservative chief operating officer for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, echoed the positive reception of the decision. “Great news!” Sterling wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Another step in keeping to guardrails in place to safeguard our elections.”
Election lawyer Marc Elias, a prominent figure in election integrity cases, also weighed in on the decision. He described McBurney’s ruling as “a big defeat for election deniers in Georgia,” underscoring the broader implications for the ongoing efforts to ensure fair and accurate elections.
Carrie Levine, managing editor of the nonpartisan news outlet VoteBeat, added some levity to the moment when she shared a notable detail from McBurney’s ruling. The judge included a playful reference to The Lord of the Rings, quoting Gandalf with the famous line, “You shall not pass!” Levine remarked, “A judge today ruled that county boards of election in Georgia must certify elections, full stop. He quoted Gandalf… so make of that what you will.”
The decision serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the electoral process, even in the face of challenges. Judge McBurney’s ruling reinforces the integrity of Georgia’s elections and prevents attempts to obstruct the certification of results.
