Read order #1 here. Raffensperger has balked at efforts by Trump and his GOP allies to question the vote-counting process in the state and has vigorously defended the integrity of the presidential race in Georgia. (The Center Square) – Georgia attorney Lin Wood asked an Atlanta judge Wednesday to stop the certification of the state’s election results. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you’re on an official state website. How you know. Atlanta, GA – Today from the Governor's Ceremonial Office at the Georgia State Capitol, Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered the following remarks regarding the results of the 2020 election in Georgia: "Good afternoon. It seems simple enough to conduct a sample audit of signatures on the absentee ballot envelopes and compare those to the signatures on applications and on file at the Secretary of State’s Office. Atlanta, GA – Today from the Governor's Ceremonial Office at the Georgia State Capitol, Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered the following remarks regarding the results of the 2020 election in Georgia: "Good afternoon. COVID-19 Relief Bill, Election Certification And Georgia Runoffs: Views From HuffPost Readers NEWS CORONAVIRUS POLITICS 2020 ELECTIONS ENTERTAINMENT LIFE PERSONAL VIDEO SHOPPING U.S. In the state, the vote is ultimately certified by the Secretary of State, but only after election officials in each county certify their own results. In the runoff election, we cannot have lost memory cards or stacks of uncounted ballots. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use “georgia.gov” or “ga.gov” at the end of the address. The Georgians I have heard from are extremely concerned about this, so I encourage Secretary Raffensperger to consider addressing these concerns. His campaign is trying to block or delay certification in key states in hopes of overturning Biden’s victory through the Electoral College. Georgia's Secretary of State corrected a news release certifying the state's election results on Friday, saying the certification was still going on and would be finished later in the day. Now that the results are certified, Trump is entitled to ask for a statewide machine recount because of the narrow margin. FAILED. Kemp did release a statement before the audit urging Raffensperger to “take a serious look at any and all voting irregularity allegations that have been made.” Trump and his campaign have raised unsubstantiated allegations of massive irregularities and fraud in Georgia. Thank you, God bless you, and may God continue to bless the Great State of Georgia.". After the audit, Biden’s lead had shrunk to 12,670—a difference of 888 votes. We must all work together to ensure citizens have confidence in future elections in our state. Governor Duncan, Speaker Ralston, and members of both bodies to address the issues that have been raised over the last few weeks. The certification formalizes the razor-thin presidential results after a statewide audit confirmed that Joe Biden received more votes than President Donald Trump and would be a major blow to Trump’s longshot efforts to overturn the outcome of the election. Raffensperger’s office has said Trump is mischaracterizing the agreement, known as a consent decree, which he claimed weakened verification rules for absentee ballots. Brian Kemp (R) certified the state's election results on Friday, AP reports. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump and his lawyers seeking a temporary restraining order to halt certification of Georgia's election. Brian Kemp certified the state's presidential election results Friday in favor of President-elect Joe Biden -- but called for an audit of the votes. Georgia has runoff elections for two U.S. Senate seats and a Public Service Commissioner scheduled to occur over the next several weeks. This is simply unacceptable. Lin Wood, who brought the lawsuit, would have served as a pro-Trump elector if Trump won Georgia. Brian Kemp addresses the certification of the election, issues that need to be addressed, and the Senate runoffs during a briefing provided through Georgia Public … The deadline for his campaign to request that recount is Tuesday afternoon. An hour after Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office issued a press release announcing the election certification was complete, his office issued another that he hasn’t yet certified the results of the presidential election. A federal judge on Friday rejected a lawsuit from a Trump ally that sought to block the certification of Georgia’s election results, which is scheduled to take place Friday. An official website of the State of Georgia. We demand complete explanations for all the discrepancies identified so that our citizens will have complete confidence in our elections. Jan 3rd is the date that congress votes. Brian Kemp, a Republican, has until 5 p.m. Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Initially, Georgia election officials reported Biden leading Trump by 13,558 votes out of the five million cast. Georgia Gov. "It’s important to note that this audit only looked at ballots, not the signatures on the absentee applications or the signatures on the ballot envelopes. Given the record number of absentee ballots and narrow margin in the November 3rd election for president in Georgia, I joined many in backing a hand recount and urging a thorough investigation into any voting irregularities. The Secretary of State oversaw a complete audit which revealed significant errors made in several counties, including: Floyd, Fayette, Douglas, and Walton. Georgia GOP Chairman files lawsuit contesting election certification. We must have full transparency in all monitoring and counting. Between Georgia's runoff, congress' election certification and Trump's false claims of voter fraud, it's another historic week of political news. Georgia’s top elections official said he will certify that Joe Biden won the state's presidential election after a hand tally stemming from a mandatory audit affirmed the Democrat's lead over Republican President Donald Trump. I have heard directly from countless Georgians. They expect better, and they deserve better. Because of the irregularities and the abject failure of the secretary of state of this state and the counties to properly conduct the election, it is impossible to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election." COVID-19 has introduced numerous challenges to county and state elections officials as they work to keep Georgia elections secure, accessible, and fair. Georgia’s top elections official has certified results showing Democrat Joe Biden won the presidential race in the state. Wood filed an emergency motion for injunctive relief with U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia to suspend the finalization of the results until his lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the Georgia State Election Board … The scheme essentially becomes impossible if key states certify their presidential results before December 8, which is known as a “safe harbor” deadline under federal law. He also encouraged Kemp to “take charge” after it became clear the audit wasn’t uncovering widespread irregularities. President Donald Trump and Georgia GOP Chairman David Shafer filed a lawsuit, Friday, against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger contesting his certification of the 2020 election results. Georgia election officials and Gov. The election may not be certified by then and there are congressmen threatening to object. "This morning, the Secretary announced his support of strengthened photo ID requirements for absentee balloting. 1. CNN contributed to the story. Raffensperger’s office then issued a press release at 12:26 p.m., saying, “The Georgia Secretary of State Office today certified the results for the November 3, 2020 General Election.” Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results are set to be certified again after a federal judge in Atlanta dismissed a major lawsuit Monday that sought to overturn the results and declare By viewing our video content, you are accepting the terms of our. ©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Georgia announced Friday that it certified the results of the 2020 general election, which Republican Gov. Certifying election results is typically a formality, but the arcane process has become the latest battleground in Trump’s attempt to retain the presidency. "It is important for Georgians to know that the vast majority of local election workers did their job well under unprecedented circumstances, and I thank them for their service. More:Georgia officials debunk 'secret ballot suitcase' claim; to re-certify results for Biden Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger plans to certify the results later Monday showing President-elect Joe Biden beat President Donald Trump in Georgia by about 12,000 votes – the second time a statewide recount has proved Biden to be the winner since the Nov. 3 general election. Facebook page for Governor Brian P. Kemp Office of the Governor, Twitter page for Governor Brian P. Kemp Office of the Governor, Instagram page for Governor Brian P. Kemp Office of the Governor, Governor Kemp Formalizes Election Certification, Calls for Signature Audit, Endorses Voter ID for Mail-In Balloting. Read order #2 here. "We are filing today a petition in the Fulton Superior Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. 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