Judge orders officials not to reset voting machines in Georgia

A federal judge on Sunday banned state officials from resetting voting machines used in three counties in Georgia.

In the four-page order, District Judge Timothy Batten, a person appointed by George W. Bush, prohibited officials from “altering, destroying or erasing, or authorizing the alteration, destruction or erasure of any software or data on a Dominion voting machine. in Cobb, Gwinnett and Cherokee counties. “

Lawyer Sidney Powell, who brought an action against Gov. Brian kempBrian KempTrump: ‘I’m ashamed to approve’ Kemp in Georgia Trump tackles pandemic but not elections in Turkey’s annual pardon Chris Christie: Trump’s legal team has been ‘a national embarrassment ” MORE (R), Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (right) and four other election officials, alleged without evidence that Dominion’s electoral systems had been tampered with by foreign governments.

In a hearing on Sunday, state officials argued they had no authority over county election officials. Batten agreed to receive a brief from Kemp and Raffensperger detailing their opposition to a “forensic inspection” of the machines, and also ordered the defendants to provide the plaintiffs with the state’s contract with the company.

However, he also certified the temporary stay of the appeal, allowing Raffensperger and Kemp to immediately appeal the decision to the 11th Circuit. He noted in a Monday morning order that the case could benefit from an appeal, appearing to recognize jurisdictional issues regarding the trial.

“ The Court finds that its order of November 29 partially granting the defendants’ motion for a temporary restraining order involves a decisive question of law on which there is substantial cause for a difference of opinion and that an immediate appeal from the order can significantly advance the final termination of the litigation, ”Batten wrote.

Batten said in a Monday morning order that he would hold a hearing on the case on Friday morning.

The Trump campaign has distanced itself from Powell after his brief stint on his legal team, but President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump rages against “ 60 minutes ” for interview with Krebs Cornyn Spox: Neera Tanden has “ no chance ” of being confirmed as OMB lawmaker chosen by Biden in Pennsylvania was informed of positive coronavirus test when meeting with Trump: MORE report continued to repeat his claims and said on Sunday he was “ashamed” for endorsing Kemp in 2018.

Harper Neidig contributed.