In a significant development for Georgia’s legislative elections, a previously missing memory card from an election machine in Seminole County has altered the initial results of a closely contested race. Early counts indicated that Republican incumbent Rep. Gerald Greene of Cuthbert had lost to Democrat Harry James by a narrow margin, trailing by less than 100 votes.

Findings Change Election Landscape

The situation shifted dramatically after officials discovered and uploaded the contents of the missing memory card on a Friday following the election. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office reported that this new data revealed Greene now leading the contest by 262 votes. Current tallies show Greene with a total of 10,193 votes against James’ 9,932, reflecting a 261-vote margin between the two candidates.

Wider Implications for the House Control

This unexpected turn in Greene’s race has broader implications for the composition of the Georgia House of Representatives. While Democrats managed to flip 13 Republican-held seats, their anticipated losses in two races leave them likely securing 92 seats overall. Should Greene’s seat remain with Republicans, the Democrats would hold only a slim one-vote majority.

The House consists of 180 seats, with a simple majority requiring at least 91 votes to pass legislation.

Discrepancy Discovery

The memory card’s absence was noted during a verification process, where the number of voters checked in exceeded the count of actual ballots by approximately 388. This discrepancy prompted officials to search for the missing device, ultimately impacting the election outcome significantly.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger commented on the situation, stating, “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.”

Ongoing Races and Future Outcomes

Another legislative race remains unresolved, potentially shaping Democrats’ prospects. Rep. Mike Cheokas, a Republican from Americus, did not secure a majority in a three-way contest. He will now face Democrat Ethan Wolfe in an upcoming runoff. If Cheokas loses, it could provide Democrats with a two-vote cushion in the House.