Georgia Supreme Court denies emergency appeal for GOP-backed ballot rules struck down by judge

The Georgia Supreme Court has denied the Republican Party's request to immediately reinstate new ballot rules passed by the State Election Board (SEB) last month. 

The Peach State's highest court said it will hear the Republican National Committee's (RNC's) request for an expedited appeal late last week after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Cox, Jr. ruled the measures were "illegal, unconstitutional, and void."

The one-page decision by the state Supreme Court released on Tuesday afternoon indicates that ruling will remain in place through Election Day. It was unanimously backed by all judges on the court.

Cox's decision covered a requirement for ballots at each precinct to be hand counted by three separate county officials to ensure the total matches the machine-tabulated number, as well as a provision directing county boards to certify election results only after "a reasonable inquiry" into their accuracy, among others.

GEORGIA GOP CHAIR SHARES 2-PRONGED ELECTION STRATEGY AS TRUMP WORKS TO WIN BACK PEACH STATE

Plaintiffs in the case included civil rights groups like the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP and Eternal Vigilance, as well as a current and a former state official.

The state Supreme Court noted it "lacks jurisdiction over this motion" but said it would take the case due to the "issues of gravity and public importance" it presents. The RNC and its allies, including the Georgia state GOP, requested an emergency expedition of the appeals process.