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By Oliver Trapnell
Associate News Editor
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A Georgia House race upended by the discovery of a memory card containing hundreds of previously unreported votes faces a critical deadline as counties prepare to certify election results by 5 p.m.
In Seminole County, election officials identified a difference of approximately 388 between the number of voters who checked in on Election Day and the number of ballots initially reported as cast. The previously unreported results reversed the race, turning Republican state Rep. Gerald Greene's 58-vote deficit into a lead of 262 votes, according to Georgia's Secretary of State's Office.
The discovery has raised questions about how the race will be recorded when results are certified later Monday.
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What Happened and Why It Matters
Post-election checks in Seminole County, part of House District 154, revealed a discrepancy between voter check-ins and the number of ballots initially reported as cast.
The Georgia Secretary of State's Office said the discrepancy was traced to results from a memory card that had not been uploaded into the county's election-management system.
Following the incident, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger launched an investigation into the late upload.
"Georgia's election safeguards are designed to identify discrepancies, and that is exactly what these guardrails did," Raffensperger said.
"Our office identified a significant discrepancy, alerted county officials, and uncovered a failure to properly upload election results. This oversight didn't just affect the numbers, it changed who was leading an election. That is unacceptable, and we intend to find out exactly how it happened.
"Every vote matters and, in a close election, even a relatively small number of unreported ballots can change the outcome."
However, Seminole County Elections Supervisor Ron Foskey disputed claims that a memory card had been missing. In a statement published Saturday, Foskey said all memory cards had been accounted for on election night, but the county's election-management system had failed to finish processing results from the final precinct. He said the processing was subsequently completed.
Newsweek contacted Raffensperger's office for comment by email on Sunday.
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Impact on results
The previously unreported results put Greene ahead of Democratic challenger Harry James by 262 votes, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, reversing his earlier 58-vote deficit. Without those results, James would retain his previously reported 58-vote lead.
Greene has served in the Georgia House since January 1983, making him one of its longest-serving members.
Newsweek has contacted James for comment by email.
Democrats appeared set to take control of the Georgia House for the first time in 22 years after initially appearing to win 93 of its 180 seats. Greene's revised lead would reduce their projected total to 92: still enough for a majority.
Another Georgia House race remains unresolved. In District 151, Republican state Rep. Mike Cheokas will face Democrat Ethan Wolfe in a December 1 runoff.
What Happens Now?
County election officials must certify their results by 5 p.m. Monday.
Raffensperger's investigation will examine why the results were not initially uploaded, whether election procedures were followed and what corrective measures may be needed to prevent similar incidents.
Separately, the Secretary of State's office is investigating an unrelated alleged election-law violation involving an unnamed Georgia House candidate.
The Secretary of State's Investigations Division will obtain and review voting records, signatures and other evidence to determine the facts.
"Candidates are subject to the same laws as every voter in the state," Raffensperger said. "We will follow the evidence and determine exactly what happened. We will fully enforce Georgia law."
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