Last Updated on November 5, 2020
In a matter of hours, the uncounted ballots in the State of Georgia jumped by over 35,000. In a state that holds 16 Electoral College votes as its prize – and with a difference of just 13,534 votes between President Trump and Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden, 35,000 votes could be the difference in the election.
Speaking to WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, said there were under 25,000 ballots left to be counted. But almost immediately his office contacted the news station with a retraction.
“The Secretary of State’s Office says there are actually 50,000 to 60,000 uncounted ballots remaining as of 8:30am, more than initially thought early this morning,” WSB-TV reported.
With counting continuing in numerous counties throughout #Georgia, as of 12:45 p.m. today there are approximately 50,401 ballots still outstanding#SecureTheVote
— GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (@GaSecofState) November 5, 2020
The Secretary of State’s office later issued a formal press release stating there were approximately 61,367 ballots still outstanding.
At this writing, President Trump leads Democrat Joe Biden 49.52 percent to 49.25 percent, a 0.27 percent margin which allows for a recount. The total difference in votes between the two is a mere 13,534 votes.
Raffensperger’s spokesman didn’t answer phone calls and didn’t return a voicemails. Raffensperger didn’t appear at a scheduled mid-morning press conference.
The breakdown of the ballots in the State of Georgia left to be counted, as stated by the Secretary of State’s office:
- 3,027 in Brian County
- 494 in Burke County
- 17,157 in Chatham County*
- 7,408 in Clayton County*
- 700 in Cobb County*
- 682 in Floyd County
- 4,713 in Forsyth County
- 11,200 in Fulton County*
- 7,300 in Gwinnett County*
- 3,641 in Harris County
- 1,797 in Lawrence County
- 1,552 in Putnam County
- 456 in Taylor County
* – Denotes Counties that went for Biden
Georgia has seen a rash of irregularity issues this election cycle. A burst water pipe delayed mail-in ballot vote counting in Fulton County even though no ballots were reported to have been damaged. Software problems caused issues in two other counties.