As Election Day approaches, over 3,000 absentee ballots in Cobb County, Georgia, are caught in a logistical bind, leaving voters and civil rights groups concerned.
Due to an unexpected equipment failure and a surge of last-minute requests, Cobb County announced that some absentee ballots requested by the October 25 deadline were sent late, with many still in transit. In response, the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) have filed a lawsuit seeking an extension for these delayed ballots, potentially allowing them to be counted until November 8.
Georgia’s Election: Rigged by Russia
— theTrumpet.com (@theTrumpet_com) November 1, 2024
Thousands flood the streets in Georgia after its ruling Kremlin-backed party visibly stole the election to pull the country away from Europe. pic.twitter.com/3BsHArxPSi
Surge in Requests Strains County Resources
Cobb County, located north of Atlanta and known for its diverse voter base, saw an unprecedented spike in absentee ballot requests in the days leading up to the cutoff. This surge, averaging 750 requests daily, overwhelmed local resources. Election officials were forced to rely on in-house equipment that eventually malfunctioned, prompting the county to coordinate expedited deliveries through the U.S. Postal Service and UPS.
“We want to maintain voter trust by being transparent about the situation,” stated Cobb Board of Elections Chairwoman Tori Silas. Despite their efforts, over 1,000 ballots were being sent out-of-state, creating additional delays. Silas emphasized that voters still awaiting ballots could vote in person on Election Day or utilize drop boxes across the county.
Civil Rights Groups Demand Deadline Extension
The ACLU and SPLC argue that the delays jeopardize voters’ rights, especially given the tight timelines. The groups are pushing for the ballot return deadline to be extended by three days to ensure all votes are counted. “These voters fulfilled their responsibility by requesting absentee ballots on time,” noted Poy Winichakul, SPLC’s senior attorney. The lawsuit highlights the need for swift action, stating that current efforts are insufficient to protect the constitutional rights of Cobb County’s affected voters.
Impact on Georgia’s Swing State Status
The stakes are high in Georgia, one of the nation’s most contested battleground states in the 2024 election. With former President Donald Trump leading Vice President Kamala Harris by a slim margin in recent polls, every vote could be decisive. As of October 15, record-breaking early voter turnout saw over 3.6 million ballots cast in Georgia, with absentee votes exceeding 226,000.
Cobb County voters can still submit their absentee ballots in person at the county headquarters through Monday, with hours extended to accommodate those impacted by the delays.
