A Georgia judge rejected a Republican-led lawsuit on Saturday that sought to prevent counties from opening election offices over the weekend and allowing voters to submit mail ballots in person on Saturday and Sunday. The lawsuit specifically targeted Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold covering most of Atlanta and accounting for 11% of the state’s electorate. Other large Democratic-leaning counties also announced weekend openings to enable voters to hand-deliver absentee ballots.
Fulton County confirmed that four election offices would be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 2 and 3 for in-person ballot returns. In response, the Fulton County Republican Party filed the lawsuit, asserting that state law mandates all drop boxes close after early voting ends on Friday.
During an emergency hearing on Saturday, attorney Alex Kaufman, representing the plaintiffs, argued against allowing voters to hand-deliver absentee ballots over the weekend, despite mail return options. He insisted that hand delivery should be restricted between the end of early voting on Friday and Election Day on Tuesday, although Georgia election offices have historically accepted in-person mail ballots.
Judge Kevin Farmer of Fulton County Superior Court repeatedly refuted Kaufman’s arguments before ruling, stating, “I find that it is not a violation for a voter to hand-return their absentee ballots.”
After the hearing, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) clarified on X that “Under state law, election officials can receive absentee ballots in person at [government] facilities if the county chooses.” He reassured the public that the state is “working with the counties and the political parties to ensure this is done transparently and within Georgia law.”
Fulton County voters have until the end of the weekend or until 7 p.m. on Election Night to hand in their absentee ballots.