EXPLAINER: What does Georgia’s new GOP election law do?
3 years, 8 months ago

EXPLAINER: What does Georgia’s new GOP election law do?

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — The sweeping rewrite of Georgia’s election rules represents the first big set of changes since former President Donald Trump’s repeated, baseless claims of fraud following his presidential loss to Joe Biden. Democratic state Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler slammed the proposal Thursday before the bill was signed into law, saying: “They want to make it a crime to bring Grandma some water while she’s waiting in line.” Polling places would be able to, but not required to, set up self-serve water dispensers for voters. “Contrary to the hyper-partisan rhetoric you may have heard inside and outside this gold dome, the facts are that this new law will expand voting access in the Peach State,” Kemp said Thursday. The new law shortens the time for runoffs from nine weeks to four, with lawmakers saying the current span is “exhausting” and needs to be shortened to a “more manageable period.” Military and overseas voters will use ranked-choice absentee ballots to rank all possible candidates before a primary or general election, allowing their preferences to be determined in any possible runoff. “These unjustified measures will individually and cumulatively operate to impose unconstitutional burdens on the right to vote, to deny or abridge the voting rights of Black Georgians, and to deny Black voters in Georgia an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process and elect candidates of their choice,” says the lawsuit, which is filed against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia’s State Elections Board.

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History of this topic

Controversial Trump-backed Georgia election board considers re-launching mass voter purge
1 month ago

Controversial Trump-backed Georgia election board considers re-launching mass voter purge

Raw Story  

The Georgia State Election Board will hold its first post-election meeting on Monday, where it is set to consider resuming its recent push to change Georgia’s election rules and stir the debate anew about counties review controversial mass voter challenges. The State Election Board meeting is scheduled to begin Monday morning with a public comment period where people can discuss …

Trump clinches a key victory in swing state Georgia
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Trump clinches a key victory in swing state Georgia

NPR  

Trump clinches a key victory in swing state Georgia toggle caption Joe Raedle//Getty Images This story originally appeared as part of NPR's live coverage of the 2024 election. Former President Donald Trump has won Georgia and its 16 electoral votes, according to a race call by the Associated Press, striking a blow to Democrats’ chances in the Sun Belt and …

2024 Election in Georgia: What to Expect on Election Day
2 months ago

2024 Election in Georgia: What to Expect on Election Day

Associated Press  

In the upcoming presidential election in Georgia, both Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are visiting the state to survey the damage and meet with affected residents and local officials. The state remains one of the top prizes in the presidential election, and the outcome could have significant implications for the outcome of the race. …

New GA rules still in play with Harris-Trump election showdown now fast and furious
2 months ago

New GA rules still in play with Harris-Trump election showdown now fast and furious

Raw Story  

The ongoing fight over the recent attempted makeover of how counties run elections by the Georgia State Election Board could be left up to the state’s highest court to decide whether the panel overstepped its authority. The GOP’s lawyers aim to overturn a Fulton County judge’s ruling Wednesday that blocks the State Election Board from enacting several new rules for …

'It's already happening': Battleground states see 'hanky-panky' to interfere in election
2 months ago

'It's already happening': Battleground states see 'hanky-panky' to interfere in election

Raw Story  

As more and more people begin to vote in the 2024 presidential election, the legal disputes are already beginning to flare up, wrote The Washington Post editorial board. This comes after an elections board in Georgia, whose majority was backed by former President Donald Trump, tried to change election rules to make the counting process slower and give power to …

Record Turnout in Georgia as Early Voting Begins
2 months, 1 week ago

Record Turnout in Georgia as Early Voting Begins

Associated Press  

A significant number of Georgians have already cast their ballots in the first day of early in-person voting, with over 310,000 votes cast on Tuesday and another 260,000 on Wednesday. The number of mail ballots accepted is also high, at over 33,000. This surge in early voting suggests a potential shift in how Georgians vote, with a record number of …

Georgia voters motivated by Harris-Trump contest flock to polls in record numbers
2 months, 1 week ago

Georgia voters motivated by Harris-Trump contest flock to polls in record numbers

Raw Story  

The first day of early voting in Georgia crushed the previous record for in-person turnout, with more than 300,000 people casting a ballot Tuesday. “I am confident that voters are choosing their freedom when they vote, but I also understand that there’s a lot more days of early voting to go, and so we have to keep this momentum going.” …

Early Voting Surge in Georgia and North Carolina as Turnout Soars
2 months, 1 week ago

Early Voting Surge in Georgia and North Carolina as Turnout Soars

CNN  

Early voting in Georgia and North Carolina is underway, with record numbers of voters already casting ballots in both states. In Georgia, over 188,000 votes have been cast by 2 p.m. ET, shattering the state's record for early voting turnout. In North Carolina, early in-person voting begins on Thursday and has expanded opportunities for voters to cast their ballots, with …

Georgia election: Record number of early votes cast as election gets underway in battleground state
2 months, 1 week ago

Georgia election: Record number of early votes cast as election gets underway in battleground state

CNN  

CNN — A record number of early votes have been cast in Georgia on Tuesday as residents headed to the polls in a critical battleground state that is grappling with the fallout from Hurricane Helene and controversial election administration changes that have spurred a flurry of lawsuits. “So with the record breaking 1st day of early voting and accepted absentees …

Record Number of Early Votes Cast in Georgia as Election Gets Underway in Battleground State
2 months, 1 week ago

Record Number of Early Votes Cast in Georgia as Election Gets Underway in Battleground State

CNN  

A record number of early votes have been cast in Georgia on Tuesday, with more than 328,000 ballots cast so far. The state is one of the most closely watched in the upcoming election, with former President Donald Trump trying to reclaim it after losing there to President Joe Biden four years ago. Despite the massive turnout, the process appeared …

After months of rewriting rules, Georgia election board meets once more before November
2 months, 2 weeks ago

After months of rewriting rules, Georgia election board meets once more before November

Raw Story  

An investigation into allegations that several county election boards are failing to properly investigate challenges disputing voter eligibility is on the agenda of the controversial Georgia State Election Board on Tuesday. The State Election Board will hold its final scheduled meeting Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, where rules adopted by three members loyal to former President Donald …

"Unlawful": Experts say Trump-backed Georgia election board rules threaten to "disrupt" count
2 months, 4 weeks ago

"Unlawful": Experts say Trump-backed Georgia election board rules threaten to "disrupt" count

Salon  

The Georgia Election Board's approval of another new rule fewer than 45 days before the general election ignited concerns over its potential to disrupt the state's election administration and certification in November. Though Georgia's new rule only requires poll workers to count the number ballots as opposed to every vote on the ballot, county election officials worry it could stall …

Georgia’s Election Is Headed for Potential Disaster. Thank the Supreme Court.
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Georgia’s Election Is Headed for Potential Disaster. Thank the Supreme Court.

Slate  

Since late July, a partisan majority on the Georgia State Board of Elections has enacted a series of last-minute changes to the state’s election procedures, including changes that could threaten the ability of people of color in Georgia to vote and have their votes counted equally. While we expect the courts to block the Georgia board’s most egregious attacks on …

Several states are making late changes to election rules, even as voting is set to begin
3 months ago

Several states are making late changes to election rules, even as voting is set to begin

Associated Press  

In Georgia, election workers will have to hand count the number of ballots cast after voting is completed. Across the country, including in some of the nation’s presidential swing states, new or recently altered state laws are changing how Americans will vote, tally ballots, and administer and certify November’s election. After the July primary, Maricopa County Elections spokesperson Jennifer Liewer …

Election experts raise alarms about vote counting delays in battleground states
3 months ago

Election experts raise alarms about vote counting delays in battleground states

CNN  

CNN — In Pennsylvania, officials are bracing for another presidential election in which the state could once again be the decisive battleground and take days to determine the winner. In Georgia, election officials can begin processing absentee ballots ahead of Election Day and a new law since the 2020 presidential election requires counties to report to the secretary of state …

Georgia’s GOP-led elections board OKs controversial voting change that local officials warned against
3 months ago

Georgia’s GOP-led elections board OKs controversial voting change that local officials warned against

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “This board needs to take seriously the guidance that we’ve received from the attorney …

'Off the deep end': MAGA-controlled election board ruling stuns lawmakers and experts
3 months ago

'Off the deep end': MAGA-controlled election board ruling stuns lawmakers and experts

Raw Story  

A MAGA-controlled board's new mandate that Georgia ballots be hand-counted stunned journalists, lawmakers, legal experts and Americans who fear "chaos" and a "legal coup" just 46 days before the presidential election. While MSNBC host Chris Hayes condemned the decision as "crazy on the merits" and "transparently an attempt at sabotage," Former Fox News producer and conservative influencer Kyle Becker called …

Pro-Trump Georgia Election Board Makes Last-Minute Change
3 months ago

Pro-Trump Georgia Election Board Makes Last-Minute Change

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING A 3-2 Republican majority on Georgia’s State Election Board voted Friday to require local election offices to hand count the state’s millions of ballots, inviting chaos as experts warned the task would prove impossible in the state’s largest counties, which lean Democratic. The rule passed Friday in Georgia states that “the process must be completed within the …

Georgia election officials warn of chaos as Trump allies push changes ahead of November
3 months ago

Georgia election officials warn of chaos as Trump allies push changes ahead of November

Raw Story  

The Georgia State Election Board is set to vote Friday on several election rules that have raised red flags among voting rights organizations, Democrats and county election officials in advance of the November general election. The Democratic Party of Georgia, the left-leaning voting rights group Fair Fight Action, and nonpartisan election officials are expressing concerns that several rules on Friday’s …

Georgia State Election Board majority, praised by Trump, approves rule requiring hand count of ballots
3 months ago

Georgia State Election Board majority, praised by Trump, approves rule requiring hand count of ballots

LA Times  

Georgia’s State Election Board on Friday voted to approve a new rule that requires poll workers to count the number of paper ballots by hand after voting is completed, a change that critics worry could delay the reporting of election night results. Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger last month called the hand-counting rule “misguided,” saying it would delay the …

GA board's pro-Trump wing gives local officials the power to delay election certification
4 months ago

GA board's pro-Trump wing gives local officials the power to delay election certification

Raw Story  

The Georgia State Election Board Monday finalized a rule Monday that gives local officials more power to dispute certifying election results by adopting a new ballot counting policy that critics contend could disrupt the presidential election in November. Critics claim that Republican state election board members are making it easier to contest Georgia’s election results if Trump once again fails …

Revealed: Election deniers secretly pushed rule to delay certification
4 months ago

Revealed: Election deniers secretly pushed rule to delay certification

Raw Story  

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. The State Election Board’s Monday meeting comes on the heels of a vote less than two weeks before that empowered county election board members to conduct “reasonable inquiry” into allegations of voting irregularities. “The whole rule is to safeguard everybody’s vote,” she said, and to make sure that “nobody’s vote gets watered down …

Georgia officials push through right-wing Republican election rules
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Georgia officials push through right-wing Republican election rules

Raw Story  

The Georgia State Election Board pushed through proposed right-wing Republican election rules Tuesday that have sparked fierce debates over giving county officials greater authority to refuse to certify voter tallies. That included the significant rule adopted Tuesday that allows local election boards members to exercise their discretion of “reasonable inquiry” to review documents and other election-related information prior to voting …

A new election law battle is brewing in Georgia, this time over voter challenges
8 months, 3 weeks ago

A new election law battle is brewing in Georgia, this time over voter challenges

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia has been rocked by furious battles over election laws ever since Democrat Stacey Abrams’ narrow loss to Republican Brian Kemp in the 2018 governor’s race. “These are voters who moved some months or years before voting at their old address, went back and showed a driver’s license they knew they had not updated, claimed to still live …

Georgia lawmakers approve new election rules that could impact 2024 presidential contest
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia lawmakers approve new election rules that could impact 2024 presidential contest

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers on Thursday approved new rules for challenging voters and qualifying for the state’s presidential ballot that could impact the 2024 presidential race in the battleground state. The bill also spells out what constitutes “probable cause” for upholding challenges to voter eligibility, which could lead to voters being removed from the rolls. “We define probable cause very …

Georgia’s GOP-led House approves new election rules that could affect 2024 presidential contest
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia’s GOP-led House approves new election rules that could affect 2024 presidential contest

LA Times  

Democratic state Rep. Anne Allen Westbrook votes on the election bill in Georgia’s House of Representatives in Atlanta. The Georgia House of Representatives on Thursday approved new rules for challenging voters and qualifying for the state’s presidential ballot that could affect the 2024 presidential race in the battleground state. Republicans in Georgia have repeatedly floated election changes following false claims …

Georgia restricts Fulton County’s access to voter registration system after cyber intrusion
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Georgia restricts Fulton County’s access to voter registration system after cyber intrusion

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — An apparent cyberattack that affected government operations in Georgia’s most populous county is creating challenges for its election office as it prepares for the state’s March 12 presidential primary. Robert Sinners, spokesman for the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, said Thursday that Fulton County’s access to the state voter registration system had been restricted as a precaution. “In …

A judge has declined to block parts of Georgia’s election law while legal challenges play out
1 year, 2 months ago

A judge has declined to block parts of Georgia’s election law while legal challenges play out

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A federal judge in Georgia has declined to block several provisions of a sweeping election law while legal challenges play out. Several voting advocacy and civil rights groups, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, sued in 2021 after Republican state lawmakers passed the measure less than six months after former President Donald Trump narrowly lost the …

Effect of Georgia’s voting law unclear, despite high turnout
2 years ago

Effect of Georgia’s voting law unclear, despite high turnout

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Georgia’s 2022 election season ended dramatically this past week, but that was because of the closely watched Senate runoff that solidified Democratic control of the chamber and not for any large-scale problems with voting. “Georgia’s election system has been challenged and scrutinized and criticized and passed every test,” Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said in a statement …

High early turnout in Georgia Senate runoff: More evidence that saving democracy motivates voters
2 years ago

High early turnout in Georgia Senate runoff: More evidence that saving democracy motivates voters

Salon  

Over the weekend, Donald Trump effectively demanded the end of America's constitutional democracy. During the weeks leading up to the 2022 midterms, mainstream election coverage appeared to be guided by the presumption that President Joe Biden's pleas to save democracy were largely being ignored by American voters, that high inflation and gas prices would instead drive them to punish the …

Georgia: What to expect on election night
2 years ago

Georgia: What to expect on election night

Associated Press  

A fiercely competitive Senate runoff in Georgia has national implications as Democrats try to solidify their hold on the upper chamber of Congress. Another big change from 2020 is the compressed schedule, with this year’s runoff election coming just four weeks after the general election thanks to Georgia’s new election law. Here’s a look at what to expect on election …

Black voters and students home for the holiday help drive early turnout for Georgia Senate race
2 years ago

Black voters and students home for the holiday help drive early turnout for Georgia Senate race

Raw Story  

Early voting in the U.S. Senate runoff got off to a busy start in Georgia, with more than half a million ballots cast as of Monday night, including more than 300,000 votes cast Monday. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder It may be that these numbers reflect enthusiasm among Black voters, but many of the counties that offered Saturday voting have higher than …

'We had to do something': The inside story of how voting rights groups are beating Georgia GOP's suppression laws
2 years ago

'We had to do something': The inside story of how voting rights groups are beating Georgia GOP's suppression laws

Raw Story  

On the only day of Sunday voting before Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff, the auto parts store parking lot across the street from Atlanta’s Metropolitan Library looked and sounded more like a block party than a get-out-the-vote event. They have health issues.” A similar “Party to the Polls” was held at three of Fulton County’s two-dozen voting sites on Sunday and …

Georgia high court allows Saturday voting for Senate runoff
2 years, 1 month ago

Georgia high court allows Saturday voting for Senate runoff

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia counties will be allowed to hold early voting this Saturday in the U.S. Senate runoff election between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker, under a Wednesday ruling from the state Supreme Court. Early in-person voting ends on Dec. 2, the Friday before Election Day, which means that Nov. 26 would be the only possible …

Georgia high court allows Saturday voting for Senate runoff
2 years, 1 month ago

Georgia high court allows Saturday voting for Senate runoff

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Georgia counties will be allowed to hold early voting this …

Georgia court declines to halt Saturday early runoff voting
2 years, 1 month ago

Georgia court declines to halt Saturday early runoff voting

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A Georgia appeals court ruling on Monday means that counties can offer early voting this coming Saturday in the U.S. Senate runoff election between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker. The Court of Appeals declined a request by the state to stay a lower court’s ruling that said state law allows early voting that day. Republican …

Judge says Georgia law allows Saturday voting for runoff
2 years, 1 month ago

Judge says Georgia law allows Saturday voting for runoff

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — A judge on Friday said Georgia law allows counties to offer early voting on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is the only possibility for Saturday voting before next month’s Senate runoff election between Democratic Sen Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas Cox on Friday issued an order saying Georgia law “does not …

Georgia's Shorter Voting Window Could Cut Turnout In Senate Runoff
2 years, 1 month ago

Georgia's Shorter Voting Window Could Cut Turnout In Senate Runoff

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING ATLANTA — Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock’s first runoff in 2021 was a titanic nine-week clash to control the Senate that included three weeks of early in-person voting and lots of mail ballots. Democratic U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson said it will be challenging to reignite the kind of early voting enthusiasm that Democrats displayed ahead of the general …

Election Day saw few major problems, despite new voting laws
2 years, 1 month ago

Election Day saw few major problems, despite new voting laws

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Heading into this year’s midterms, voting rights groups were concerned that restrictions in Republican-leaning states triggered by false claims surrounding the 2020 election might jeopardize access to the ballot box for many voters. “For the most part, it didn’t happen.” False claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump undermined public confidence in elections …

Shorter voting window could cut turnout in Georgia runoff
2 years, 1 month ago

Shorter voting window could cut turnout in Georgia runoff

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock’s first runoff in 2021 was a titanic nine-week clash to control the Senate that included three weeks of early in-person voting and lots of mail ballots. Democratic U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson said it will be challenging to reignite the kind of early voting enthusiasm that Democrats displayed ahead of the general election, when overall …

Groups mobilize to help voters confronting new election laws
2 years, 2 months ago

Groups mobilize to help voters confronting new election laws

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Rhonda Briggins spent much of Election Day in 2020 at an Atlanta polling place handing out water and snacks to encourage voters to stay in an hourslong line to cast their ballots, something her historic Black sorority has done for decades in Georgia. “We don’t want to get to that point.” Georgia is one of several states where …

Shortened Georgia runoff poses hurdles for voters, officials
2 years, 6 months ago

Shortened Georgia runoff poses hurdles for voters, officials

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia’s 2021 voting law made changes that drew a firestorm of criticism — bans on giving water to people waiting to vote, a shorter period to request an absentee ballot and strict limits on ballot drop boxes. The law says Georgia’s 159 counties can open early in-person runoff voting as soon as possible, but only 10 counties started …

Georgia primary running smoothly despite new election law
2 years, 6 months ago

Georgia primary running smoothly despite new election law

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — In the first statewide test of new voting restrictions, Georgia’s high-stakes primary election appeared to be running smoothly Tuesday with no reports of major problems in one of the nation’s most important battleground states. Tuesday’s primary was the first major election since the GOP-controlled Legislature and Republican governor adopted tighter rules following the 2020 presidential election and amid …

Georgia Voters Face New Restrictions Enacted By Republicans After 2020 Election
2 years, 7 months ago

Georgia Voters Face New Restrictions Enacted By Republicans After 2020 Election

Huff Post  

Voting groups are watching for long lines, voter confusion, problems with voting equipment or any other hitch that could hinder voters from casting their ballots. Associated Press ATLANTA — Tuesday’s election in Georgia marks the biggest test yet of new voting restrictions enacted by Republicans in one of the nation’s most important battleground states as voters decide hotly contested primary …

Georgia voters navigate rules passed after 2020 election
2 years, 7 months ago

Georgia voters navigate rules passed after 2020 election

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tuesday's election in Georgia marks the biggest test yet of …

Georgia GOP lawmakers draw districts in Democratic counties
2 years, 10 months ago

Georgia GOP lawmakers draw districts in Democratic counties

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Republican state lawmakers in Georgia are reaching down to redraw election districts for county officials in Democratic controlled counties, a power grab possible in part because there’s no federal oversight of redistricting in Georgia for the first time in decades. “It’s a petite coup of our local government,” said Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Melissa Link, who could be drawn …

GOP election needs could dominate 2022 Georgia session
2 years, 11 months ago

GOP election needs could dominate 2022 Georgia session

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — Georgia’s General Assembly opened an election-year session Monday that could be dominated by Republican primary politics, with Gov. But with former President Donald Trump opposing Kemp and backing an insurgent challenger for lieutenant governor, a GOP race to the right appears likely as Republicans compete for their party’s nomination on May 24. “We would all be kidding ourselves …

Absentee request deadline trips voters under new Georgia law
3 years ago

Absentee request deadline trips voters under new Georgia law

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — More than half of absentee ballot applications rejected in Georgia in advance of the Nov. 2 elections were turned down because they came in after a deadline created in Georgia’s new voting law. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports 52% of applications were rejected because voters asked for an absentee ballot within the last 11 days before the election, too …

‘Cannot wait for Washington:’ Voting rights activists scramble to navigate new restrictions ahead of November elections
3 years, 2 months ago

‘Cannot wait for Washington:’ Voting rights activists scramble to navigate new restrictions ahead of November elections

CNN  

CNN — When activist Tammye Pettyjohn Jones knocks on voters’ doors in her rural corner of Georgia this month, she’ll have a new tool in hand: a portable printer. A sweeping voting law Georgia enacted this year now requires voters who do not have a driver’s license or state ID to provide a copy of another form of identification with …

Republican State Legislatures Are Winning Their War On American Democracy
3 years, 6 months ago

Republican State Legislatures Are Winning Their War On American Democracy

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Texas Democrats scored a stunning victory in the nationwide legislative battle over voting rights last weekend when they walked out en masse to prevent state House Republicans from passing yet another sweeping package of voting restrictions. But even that episode underscored a reality facing voting rights groups and their Democratic allies: Right now, Republican state legislatures are …

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