Georgia's 5 Million presidential ballots were already counted twice. Once by machine. Once by hand.
While missing ballots were discovered during the second count (benefiting President Trump), the outcome remained the same. So what about signature matching? Let me explain...
1/5
Georgia voters' signatures are on file from registration. Signatures on paper applications for absentee ballots are matched (DOB & DL/ID number matched for online requests) BEFORE a ballot is mailed. Signatures on absentee envelopes are verified BEFORE ballot is examined.
2/5
The examiner could not see the ballot inside the privacy envelope, so they could have been validating/disqualifying a Trump ballot or a Biden ballot. Questionable signature matches were adjudicated by a 3-person panel. 1 Republican, 1 Democrat, 1 staffer.
3/5
If everyone had voted absentee, the chances on validating/invalidating statewide would have been an equal 49% to 49% Trump or Biden. BUT, the president discouraged mail-in ballots. Focusing on disqualifying absentee ballots now would disproportionately affect Biden votes.
4/5
5/5 That's why the president is demanding signature matching during the third count. They've been validated already. They can be validated again on the envelopes, but they cannot be matched back to the secret ballot now. Is the goal to throw out a portion or all absentee ballots?
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Federal judge rejected key argument by the president's allies in Georgia, that the "signature match so overwhelmed ballot clerks that the rate of rejection plummeted and, ergo, invalid ballots were passed over and counted. This argument is belied by the record..."
1/4
"The percentage of absentee ballots rejected for missing or mismatched information and signature is the exact same for the 2018 election and the General
Election (.15%)" Judge Steven D. Grimberg wrote
2/4
In his denial of the Temporary Restraining Order, the Trump-appointed judge documented the multi-step process of signature matching in Georgia. The motion in Wood v. Raffensperger objected to more officials reviewing a questionable signature without legislature's approval. 3/4
Today @TrinityDC honored my late aunt, Sister Margaret Claydon, celebrating the 120th anniversary of the university's opening. Today we also remember President Kennedy. Here is a note JFK wrote to Aunt Margaret in 1960 when she was Trinity's president and he was running. 1/4
Bobby Kennedy served as commencement speaker @TrinityDC in 1963. This photo shows Sister Margaret on the right. 2/4
“A woman must not only know facts — she must have ideas about them. The modern world needs more people — including girls — who think for themselves. We’re not in the business of training committee women or bridge players.” Nov. 2, 1959 Time Magazine 3/4
#BREAKING Trump officially requests third count of Georgia ballots, following hand count that affirmed Biden victory. This recount will occur, by machine, as required by Georgia law. The campaign is also insisting the recount include signature matching. 11alive.com/mobile/article…
As previously noted, signature-matching of ballots is not possible at this stage. Under the Georgia constitution, ballots are secret and cannot be traced to the voter. Signatures of 1 Million absentee ballots were already matched. Four Million ballots were cast in person with ID.
Under current Georgia law, this recount — as with the previous two counts — is entirely at taxpayer expense.
Georgia governor calls 'election update' news conference.
GA Secretary of State announces certification, then pulls it back and says it hasn't happened yet.
The above, all on the same day Michigan lawmakers are at The White House, and VP Mike Pence is in Georgia.
To be clear, all of those are facts. I do not know if and how they're related here in Georgia. The governor had previously said 'let the chips fall where they may' when describing the audit/hand count. I have no idea what's next, but we're trying to fin out.
The president had tweeted few days ago demanding Gov. Kemp call in the General Assembly.
None of this is normal.
Georgia’s Secretary of State issues ‘correction’ saying the election is NOT certified (yet). I have no idea why. They’re still saying he *will* certify. Under Georgia law, he has until 5pm today.
Well this just got more interesting. Gov. Kemp has called a news conference at the exact moment certification by the Sec of State is required. He does have a role, under state law he 'shall' certify the results by tomorrow.
#BREAKING Joe Biden wins Georgia after hand-count audit of five million ballots. Here are the final, post-audit numbers to be certified by Sec of State on Friday:
Biden wins by 12,284 votes