A Georgia judge has ruled that county election officials are required to certify election results without delay or refusal, emphasizing that such certification is mandatory regardless of any allegations of fraud. This decision comes as a significant blow to efforts by some Republican lawmakers to challenge election processes in the state. The ruling reinforces the duty of local officials to ensure timely certification, asserting that the integrity of the voting process must be upheld. As early voting begins, tensions rise over new voting rules and ongoing lawsuits, intensifying the battle between Democrats and Republicans in this pivotal swing state.