A Georgia judge has blocked a new rule requiring counties to hand-count ballots cast on Election Day, which critics argued could disrupt timely result reporting.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney stated that the rule was too close to the election, potentially causing “administrative chaos” due to insufficient training time for poll workers.

The rule, set to take effect on October 22, had been approved by a majority of the State Election Board but faced legal challenges from Democrats, NBC News has reported.

This injunction is seen as a victory for those opposing the rule, which they claim aimed to sow doubt about election outcomes.

Written by B.C. Begley