DOJ Sues Georgia Over New Voting Law

June 25, 2021
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 05: Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp speaks during a run-off election night party at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead on January 5, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Voters in Georgia headed to the polls today f... ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 05: Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp speaks during a run-off election night party at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead on January 5, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Voters in Georgia headed to the polls today for the two Senate run-off elections, pitting incumbents Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) and Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) against Democratic candidates Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, which will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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June 25, 2021

The federal government sued the state of Georgia Friday over its new voting law, which adds new restrictions to absentee voting, among other changes that federal officials say were intended to disproportionately affect Black voters. 

In addition to a string of new voting restrictions — fewer ballot drop boxes, stricter ID requirements for absentee voters, shorter timelines to request an absentee ballot, and much more — the law made it a misdemeanor for non-poll workers to pass out food or water within 150 feet of a polling place building, or within 25 feet of any voter waiting in line. 

Merrick Garland and DOJ Civil Rights Division leader Kristen Clarke announced the suit in a press conference Friday morning. 

“Our complaint challenges several provisions of SB 202 on the grounds that they were adopted with the intent to deny or abridge Black citizens equal access to the political process,” Clarke said.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland will reportedly speak at 11 a.m.

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The federal government sued the state of Georgia Friday over its new voting law, which adds new restrictions to absentee voting, among other changes that federal officials say were intended to disproportionately affect Black voters. 

In addition to a string of new voting restrictions — fewer ballot drop boxes, stricter ID requirements for absentee voters, shorter timelines to request an absentee ballot, and much more — the law made it a misdemeanor for non-poll workers to pass out food or water within 150 feet of a polling place building, or within 25 feet of any voter waiting in line. 

Merrick Garland and DOJ Civil Rights Division leader Kristen Clarke announced the suit in a press conference Friday morning. 

“Our complaint challenges several provisions of SB 202 on the grounds that they were adopted with the intent to deny or abridge Black citizens equal access to the political process,” Clarke said.

Notable Replies

  1. The wheels of justice grind slowly but exceedingly fine.

    (By me. I just made it up.)

  2. the effort was being overseen by DOJ Civil Rights Division leader Kristen Clark and Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta

    This is the Garland DOJ that I like to see.

  3. Hi! To find out what I can do, say @discobot display help.

  4. Because of McConnell ending the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees, the lawsuit will fail and all realists including the very fine lawyers bringing the case know it.

    This is the hypocrisy or idiocy on the part of Democratic senators refusing to end the filibuster for voting rights legislation.

  5. We need this to happen anywhere the RepubliCons are ramming through legislation at the state level that suppresses and / or denies the vote. Especially now without legislation making it through the U.S. Congress to protect voting rights. GOPers know they simply cannot win on a level playing field even in some “red” states.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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