Georgia Judge Blocks Hand Counting Ballot Rule Weeks Before Presidential Election

A judge in Georgia has blocked a new rule put in place by the Georgia board of elections, that ensures each ballot in the presidential election is hand counted.
The rule was passed back in September to make the November 5th election more secure and transparent.
Judge Robert McBurney said in his decision that it was appropriate to pause the vote counting rule because it introduced fresh uncertainty into the process just weeks before Election Day.
The judge did not say the rule was illegal but needed further review. An appeals court could potentially reverse the decision, but it will be after the presidential election.
Georgia, where early voting started in record numbers on Tuesday, is one of seven battleground states that are likely to determine the result of the presidential election.
Democrats celebrated McBurney's ruling as a win for the party.