Summary

In 2019, Georgia passed a House Bill to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated establishing a post-election audit process.

This statute requires that local election superintendents conduct precertification audits of federal or state general elections no later than the November 2020 general election. The statute also mandates that the Secretary of State conduct a risk-limiting audit (RLA) program, with a risk limit of not greater than 10%, by December 31, 2021. The Secretary of State is directed to report on the pilot program to the General Assembly and develop a plan for statewide implementation. If the risk-limiting audit pilot program is considered successful, the statute requires that all audits be conducted as RLAs, as of November 1, 2024.

In September 2020, Georgia’s State Election Board adopted Ga. SEB Rule 183-1-15-.04 governing audits. The rule provides for a statewide risk-limiting audit of one contest following November general elections in even-numbered years.

Unless otherwise specified, statutory references are to Ga. Code Ann. §21-2-498.

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