Georgia election officials are appealing a federal judge’s decision to allow voters to continue a challenge to the state’s practice of relying solely on electronic voting machines in its elections. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp filed a notice of appeal Tuesday evening after U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg ruled the Coalition for Good Governance had validly stated a claim that the machines used in the state’s election are vulnerable to hacking. The group, representing voters across the state, had hoped Totenberg would issue a preliminary injunction and order the state to use paper ballots during the November midterm election. Totenberg declined to do so due to the lack of time to get the new system in place before November 6.
Accoring to the underlying lawsuit, cyber security experts have warned that the state’s 27,000 direct-recording electronic voting machines are exceptionally vulnerable to hacking because they lack a physical paper trail backup.
In allowing the Coalition’s lawsuit to go forward, Totenberg encouraged the state to implement a new, more secure electoral system before the 2020 elections.
In filing their notice of appeal, state officials argue Totenberg should have dismissed the suit on the grounds that it violates the government’s entitlement to immunity and improperly subjects the state to suit and discovery.
Full Article: Georgia Officials to Appeal Paper Ballot Ruling to 11th Circuit.