Georgia will conduct a statewide recount of ballots cast in the election between President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Wednesday.
“With the margin being so close, it will require a full, by-hand recount in each county,” Raffensperger said at a press conference.
Raffensperger, a Republican, said the state will work with county officials to complete the recount in time to meet its Nov. 20 deadline for certifying statewide election results.
“It’ll take every bit of the time we have left, for sure,” he said.
Biden’s lead over Trump in Georgia has grown to more than 14,000 votes among nearly 5 million cast, according to NBC News, which has not a projected winner in the Peach State.
Raffensperger had previously telegraphed that a recount was likely in the state, which has traditionally voted for Republican presidential nominees. Trump’s supporters, including GOP Rep.
Doug Collins, asked the Georgia official earlier this week for a hand recount.
“This will help build confidence. It will be an audit, a recount and a recanvass all at once,”
Raffensperger said. “It will be a heavy lift but we will work with the counties to get this done in time for our state certification.”
Agency Report