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.
Watch Live
Attorney General Merrick Garland will reportedly speak at 11 a.m.
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.
The wheels of justice grind slowly but exceedingly fine.
(By me. I just made it up.)
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.
Hi! To find out what I can do, say
@discobot display help
.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.
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.