Story by:May 9, 2024 Editor
As voters cast their ballots during the Georgia primary in 2022, a table displays a roll of stickers. Amid ongoing concerns about election security, Georgia GOP lawmakers implement new election rules for the current election cycle. Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images. Image source: georgiarecorder.com
Georgia’s electoral landscape shifts with the implementation of a new legislative package, signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp. Senate Bill 189, set to take effect on July 1, introduces several changes aiming to streamline electoral processes while also stirring controversy over voter eligibility challenges.
Among the notable adjustments, the law broadens the scope of access for partisan poll watchers, eliminates QR-code readers from ballots, and reconfigures the state Board of Elections by removing the secretary of state. Additionally, it mandates prompt reporting of election results within an hour of polls closing.
However, the most contentious aspect of SB 189 is its provision facilitating challenges to voter eligibility. This provision allows challenges based on suspicion of voter deaths, past registrations elsewhere, tax exemptions indicating residency elsewhere, or the use of P.O. boxes as physical addresses.
Advocates of the law, such as Garland Favorito of VoterGA, contend that it merely formalizes existing eligibility criteria, enhancing clarity and reducing confusion. They stress that the goal is to ensure accurate voter rolls by removing outdated or invalid entries.
Conversely, critics argue that the law introduces unnecessary hurdles for legally registered voters who may face unwarranted challenges. Concerns arise particularly in cases of similar names or familial living arrangements, potentially leading to administrative burdens and legal proceedings for affected voters.
Stephanie Ali from the New Georgia Project condemns the law as perpetuating baseless claims of election fraud, adding undue strain on voters to defend their rights. Instances of individuals undergoing medical treatment or caring for dependents being compelled to attend eligibility hearings underscore the burdensome nature of the process.
Voter eligibility challenges have been prevalent in Georgia, with over 100,000 filed since the 2020 election. Notably, certain counties, such as Cobb, Fulton, and Gwinnett, have experienced higher rates of challenges, raising concerns about disproportionate impacts on certain demographics.
Critics also highlight the timing of the law, which mandates challenges to be filed 90 days before an election, effectively bypassing the upcoming May 21 primary but leaving ample room for challenges ahead of the November presidential election.
The enactment of SB 189 has drawn sharp criticism from organizations like Fair Fight Action, which accuse Governor Kemp of empowering election deniers and perpetuating voter suppression tactics. In contrast, Kemp’s office maintains that the law aligns with efforts to uphold election integrity and accessibility.
The signing of SB 189 represents a pivotal moment in Georgia’s electoral landscape, sparking debates over voter rights, election integrity, and the balance between security and accessibility in the electoral process
