HB 604: Elections; authorize local election superintendents to conduct manual recounts of ballots following the computation, canvassing, and tabulation of returns

Under current Georgia election law (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-493), local election superintendents compute, canvass, and tabulate vote returns and follow set procedures if discrepancies arise. This bill adds a new subsection allowing a superintendent to voluntarily conduct a hand count, called a hand accounting, of all ballots cast in one race on the ballot, but only after finishing the required computation and canvassing steps. The hand count must happen at the same location as the original canvassing and be open to the public. Superintendents can split assistants into teams to count simultaneously. Results of the hand count are unofficial. If they conflict with the official tabulated results, the superintendent must follow the existing discrepancy procedures already in law. The hand count cannot delay any of the superintendent's other legal duties, and it must be stopped immediately if it starts to interfere with meeting any other requirement.

• Adds a new subsection (h.1) to Georgia's election tabulation law letting local superintendents optionally hand count ballots in one race after official tabulation is complete.
• Requires the hand count to take place at the same location as the original canvassing and be open to public observation.
• Allows superintendents to split staff into simultaneous counting teams to speed up the hand accounting.
• Labels hand count results as unofficial, but requires any discrepancy with official results to be resolved through existing procedures in the law.
• Mandates that the hand count be terminated immediately if it would prevent the superintendent from meeting any other legal deadline or requirement.

County and municipal election superintendents, election staff and assistants who would run the hand counts, candidates and campaigns interested in vote verification, and members of the public who could observe the process.

Georgians could see an added layer of public, hands-on ballot verification after official results are tabulated in a given race, which could increase transparency but also add work for local election offices, especially since the count must stop the moment it threatens other deadlines.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 21-2-493 by adding subsection (h.1), permitting a hand accounting of ballots in one race only after subsections (a) through (h) tasks are completed.
• The hand accounting must occur at the same location as the original computation and canvassing and remain open to the public.
• Superintendents may divide assistants into sections to count simultaneously.
• Hand count results are unofficial; discrepancies with official results trigger the existing investigation and recount procedures in subsections (b) through (h).
• The hand accounting must be immediately terminated if it would prevent the superintendent from meeting any requirement of the election chapter.
• Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-03-06House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
3. 2025-02-27House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-26House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-11)Primary sponsor
• Brent Cox (R, HD-28)
• Steve Tarvin (R, HD-2)
• Alan Powell (R, HD-33)
• Jordan Ridley (R, HD-22)
• Carter Barrett (R, HD-24)

• election rules
• ballot recounts
• vote tabulation
• election transparency