The announcement came as Raffensperger, who did not seek reelection and instead ran unsuccessfully for governor in the Republican primary, watched state employees generate the random number that determined which 20 counties would undergo the audits. The audits are designed to confirm the accuracy of the vote count and reassure the public that Georgia's elections are secure.

"Now let me be absolutely clear," Raffensperger said. "I stand by the accuracy of the results, but many of my brethren have been raised under Ronald Reagan, and he said, 'Trust but verify.' And that's what we're going to do."

Raffensperger said the audits were not strictly necessary because the election was clean and secure, but he wanted the public to be certain. "But today, this is about making sure you have trust in the election process, and we'll be done next Wednesday, and we'll prove you the results," he said.

The audits come as the secretary of state's office continues to manage a runoff election in south Georgia and address the fallout from a memory card mishap in Seminole County. Despite those challenges, Raffensperger praised his staff and county election workers. "They're just looking at the elections, nonpartisan, bipartisan, we love everyone," he said. "Our job is to do our job, and they put service before self. They run a great election."

Raffensperger has been a frequent target of election deniers since the 2020 presidential election, when he refused to overturn Georgia's results. After that election, lawmakers removed him from the state elections board. He now hopes that with a new administration and legislature, the next secretary of state will be restored to that board.

He said he is confident the 20 audits will demonstrate to skeptics that Georgia has the safest and most secure elections in the country. The audits are expected to be completed by next Wednesday.