U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) says his Voters’ Access to Water Act is a “direct response” to portions of Georgia’s Senate Bill 202, also known as the Election Integrity Act and SB 202.
What We Know:
- Ossoff introduced the bill on Monday that specifically targets one section of the Election Integrity Act. The controversial bill makes it a misdemeanor to provide anything, including food and water, to voters within 150 feet of the polling place or 25 feet of those standing in line. The Rome News-Tribune reports these are the same distances from which campaign activity is prohibited. Those who violate the law may face a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Despite this, poll workers can set up self-service water receptacles.
- Ossoff’s bill states that volunteers would be able to provide food and water to voters, but only if they’re not partaking in political activity. Also, volunteers may do so if they offer it to everyone in line.
“This is about the health and well-being of a senior citizen who’s being made to wait six hours in line to vote and allowing a volunteer to hand that senior citizen a bottle of water without facing up to a year in jail,” Ossoff remarked.
- The Georgia Senator mentioned he intends to incorporate his proposal into the For the People Act, or S.1. The measure, which passed the U.S. House and awaits approval from the U.S. Senate, will expand voting rights, correct campaign finance laws to reduce money’s interest in politics, and more.
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp approved SB 202 in March. He did this after former President Donald Trump alleged that the state robbed him of votes in the 2020 election. Since signing it into effect, many citizens and politicians alike have protested it. A large portion of Democrats feel that the “needlessly cruel” law targets minorities, as they live in areas with long voting lines. In response, many activist groups have boycotted Georgia businesses such as Home Depot and Coca-Cola. People want corporations to speak out against SB 202. In April, the MLB moved its All-Star Game from Atlanta because of Kemp’s decision. Regardless, Republicans believe SB 202 simply restricts political organizations from changing voters’ minds at the last minute. In addition, Gov. Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger declare that poll workers can hand out water, but not within 150 feet, as it could foster politicking.
- The Election Integrity Act has inspired other Republican-led state Legislatures to pass similar initiatives, like Florida, Texas, Michigan, and Arizona. This provides evidence that there are other states than Ossoff’s that want to narrow voting rights.
Alongside his bill, Ossoff promised he would fight for the approval of federal voting protections like the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. He referred to his course of action as “basic decency”.
