The Georgia bill was signed into law on Thursday by Governor Brian Kemp.
What We Know:
- Supporters of the bill suggest that it is intended to ensure election integrity. Currently, more than 250 voter suppression bills have been introduced this year by republican lawmakers in 43 states. Iowa has already passed a bill that limits absentee balloting and voting hours. Texas is also laying out steps to cut voting hours in their Democratic cities like Houston.
- Critics of these new measures believe it threatens to restrict ballot access for tens of millions of Americans. Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams vows that the new restrictions will be overturned in court.
“To fear over fairness. To suppression over participation. But we will not be defeated by their worst actions & instincts. We will spread the word, we will sue & we will win. For democracy,” Abrams asserted in response to the bill.
- Republican opponents believe that the bill will also help Governor Kemp win the 2022 reelection by suppressing Democrat and black voters.
- The bill was created to “limit mail, early-in-person and election day voting with constraints like stricter ID requirements”. Voting rights expert, Ari Berman claims that state-level republicans are weaponizing ex-president Donald Trump’s lies regarding voter fraud in the most recent presidential election. A notable stipulation of the bill shortens the time counties have to certify election results and also makes it illegal for members of the public to give food or water to voters waiting in line.
- Arizona state representative John Kavanagh defends the voting laws stating, “Republicans are more concerned about fraud, so we don’t mind putting security measures in that won’t everybody vote – but everybody shouldn’t be voting.” Various activist groups have since filed a lawsuit against the bill, claiming that it should be invalidated because it violates the Voting Rights Act as well as the 1st and 14th amendments of the U.S Constitution. The groups responsible for the lawsuit are the Black Voters Matter Fund, New Georgia Project, and Rise, Inc.
Republicans continue to push voting restrictions in their favor after accusations of voter fraud in the last presidential election.
