Absentee Ballots Missing Birth Dates Must Be Counted, Judge Says

ATLANTA, GA -- More than a week after Georgia voters cast their ballots in the state's nationally watched governor's race, the election continues to make its way through the courts, as Brian Kemp continues to maintain his lead over Stacey Abrams. On Wednesday, the latest federal judge to get involved in the case ruled that absentee ballots with incorrect voter's birthdates must be counted. However, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones' ruling does not require counties to accept absentee ballots with incorrect voters' addresses or provisional ballots cast by voters who attempted to vote in a different county than where they are registered.

Abrams' campaign is hoping enough of those incorrectly cast ballots will be enough to force a runoff with Kemp, who has already claimed victory in the race and is preparing his administration. Abrams needs about 17,000 votes to force a Dec. 4 runoff.

Most metro Atlanta counties, including Fulton and Cobb, have already certified the results of last week's election, in which Abrams was hoping to become the nation's first African-American governor in history. Republicans have held the governor's office and every other elected statewide office since 2002. Abrams is hoping delay certification in Gwinnett County until enough votes have been counted to push her closer to a runoff.

On Tuesday, an Atlanta state senator and 14 other people were arrested at the state capitol after a protest erupted in the halls over recent Georgia election results.

Abrams made the issue of alleged voter suppression a central issue of her campaign, accusing Kemp and state Republican officials of overly strict voter identification requirements. Kemp, meanwhile, pointed to Georgia's record number of registered voters for this election.

Kemp also resigned last week as secretary of state, with Gov. Nathan Deal appointing Robyn Crittenden to serve out the remainder of his term. There is already at least one runoff on Dec. 4 for secretary of state, between Republican Brad Raffensberger and Democrat John Barrow.

SEE ALSO:

• Senator, 14 Others Arrested At Capitol Protest Over GA Election
• Kemp: I Win. Abrams: Not Yet. GA Governor's Race Saga Continues
• Kemp Resigns As Sec. Of State, Names Governor's Transition Team

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