The Georgia Supreme Court ruled Monday that Democrat-led Cobb County cannot accept absentee ballots arriving after the Election Day deadline, a decisive win for election integrity advocates. The ruling ensures that only ballots returned by the close of polls will be counted in this pivotal battleground state, where President Donald Trump is seen as having strong support.
This decision comes after Cobb County officials announced they had not mailed out more than 3,000 absentee ballots by the requested deadline due to a surge in demand. Despite efforts to expedite delivery and provide prepaid express return envelopes, a lower court allowed late ballots to be returned until November 8, sparking concern from Republicans.
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 Georgia GOP appealed, arguing that the extension violated state law, which mandates that absentee ballots must be returned by Election Day. The Georgia Supreme Court agreed, pausing the lower court’s decision and ordering any ballots arriving after the deadline to be set aside.
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
The ruling reinforces Election Day as the final cutoff for absentee ballots in Cobb County. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley praised the decision, saying, “Election Day is Election Day — not the week after.”
With Georgia playing a critical role in this year’s election and Trump favored to win, the court’s decision has been celebrated as a step toward a secure and transparent process in the state.
