Why does it seem to take so long to count votes, even with Georgia’s electronic voting machines?

Sure, electronic votes are easier to count than old-fashioned paper ballots, but final results often don't come out until late at night.

There are a few reasons for delays: paper absentee ballots, rush-hour traffic and security procedures.

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Mathew Palmer, a former Delta Air Lines employee, at his home in Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.  Palmer was fired less than two weeks after writing a post on social media about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Natrice Miller/AJC)