(Zero Hedge)—Georgia Democrats spent the week celebrating their first state House majority in more than two decades. Then the secretary of state’s office found an Election Day memory card in Seminole County that had never been uploaded.
Republican state Rep. Gerald Greene went from trailing Democrat Harry James by 58 votes to leading him by 262 once the card’s votes were added on Friday, according to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office, which has opened an investigation into the county’s late upload. By Saturday, the state’s results page had Greene at 10,193 votes to 9,932 for James in House District 154, a nine-county seat in southwest Georgia.
The state’s elections staff caught it in a routine post-election check. In Seminole County, approximately 388 more voters were recorded as having checked in at polling places on Election Day than ballots were reported as cast, the office said. It alerted the county, which then realized it had missed a memory card, state elections director Blake Evans told the AJC.
“Our office identified a significant discrepancy, alerted county officials, and uncovered a failure to properly upload election results,” Raffensperger said in a statement. “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,” he added.
The probe will look at how the card was overlooked, whether required election procedures were followed and what corrective measures are needed to prevent a repeat, according to the office. The Seminole County Board of Elections had no one available to comment when WCTV called on Friday. The county has until Monday to certify its results.
Greene told the AJC he was “in disbelief” and hopes the result holds. The paper couldn’t reach James. Greene was first elected to the House in 1982 as a Democrat, switched to the GOP after the 2010 election and is the only Republican in the General Assembly who represents a majority-Black district.
With Greene’s seat back in Republican hands, Democrats would hold 92 of the chamber’s 180 seats, one more than the 91 votes needed to pass legislation. They appear to have flipped 13 other Republican-held seats while losing two of their own, according to The Current.
Two more Republican seats are still unsettled. In a Lawrenceville-area district, Republican Rep. Soo Hong trails Democrat Chris Luchey by 27 votes, a margin close enough for Hong to ask for a recount. In Americus, Republican Rep. Mike Cheokas finished first but short of a majority after independent Travis Lockhart took 11%, and he now faces Democrat Ethan Wolfe in a Dec. 1 runoff. If Cheokas loses, Democrats would have a two-vote cushion.
During the 2020 presidential recount, Floyd County turned up more than 2,600 ballots that had gone uncounted because officials never uploaded a scanner’s memory card, and Fayette County then found more than 2,700 votes on a card that hadn’t been uploaded.
In 2022, Cobb County election workers preparing for a risk-limiting audit found a memory card holding 789 uncounted ballots, and it handed a Kennesaw City Council special election to the other candidate, Lynette Burnette, who won by 31 votes after the leader had already declared victory. A state investigation later found Fulton County never counted about 1,300 votes in its 2022 primary.
Rep. Carolyn Hugley, the Columbus Democrat in line to become speaker, told the AJC her office is following up and looking into the Seminole County matter.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.