US1 min(s) read
Published 13:53 08 Dec 2020 GMT
Georgia recertifies Joe Biden's victory for the third time following second recount
Georgia has recertified Joe Biden's victory for the third time following a second recount after President Trump's unfounded claims of widespread electoral fraud.
The news was confirmed by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday, CNN reports.
The result of the recount locks in Biden's victory in the Peach State prior to the December 14 Electoral College vote - despite Trump's continued inveighing against Raffensperger, a Republican, and his requests for additional signature verification, which, according to CNN, at this point, is practically impossible.
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"Today is an important day for election integrity in Georgia and across the country," Raffensperger said in a statement. "Georgians can now move forward knowing that their votes, and only their legal votes, were counted accurately, fairly, and reliably."
In the video below, Hillary Clinton appears to predict Donald Trump's reaction to the 2020 election:
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Raffensperger said earlier in the day that the results would "remain unchanged" and slammed President Trump for spreading misinformation about the election.
"Whether it is the President of the United States or a failed gubernatorial candidate, disinformation regarding election administration should be condemned and rejected. Integrity matters. Truth matters," he said at a press conference.
"Today, the Secretary of State's office will be recertifying our state's election results. Then the safe harbor, under the United States code to name electors, is tomorrow, and then they will meet on December 14 to officially elect the next President."
In response to the unchanged results, Trump also blasted Lt. Governor of Georgia Geoff Duncan, calling him either "too dumb or corrupt" to recognize the (unfounded) voter fraud.
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Trump wrote: "Georgia Lt. Governor @GeoffDuncanGA is a RINO Never Trumper who got himself elected as LG by falsely claiming to be 'pro-Trump'.
"Too dumb or corrupt to recognize massive evidence of fraud in GA & should be replaced! We need every great Georgian to call him out! #SpecialSession!"
Biden became the first Democratic candidate to win the Peach State in almost three decades, winning by more than 12,000 votes.
The result was reconfirmed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday following a statewide audit, which involved the hand counting of the almost five million votes that were cast in Georgia.
Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud have been challenged by officials including Raffensperger, and on Monday, he explained how the president's continued actions were harming the state of Georgia.
"Continuing to make debunked claims of a stolen election is hurting our state," Raffensperger said. "The President has his due process rights and those are available to him. It's time we all focus on the future and growth."