Trump's administration dismisses Biden-era lawsuit challenging Georgia election law
The Trump administration has dropped the Biden-era lawsuit challenging Georgia's election law changes. The Justice Department now considers these changes "commonsense reforms," but critics argue the law limits voting access, especially for people of color.
The Trump administration has decided to drop a lawsuit that was filed during the Biden era against Georgia’s 2021 election law, calling the state's changes “commonsense reforms.” The decision to end the legal challenge comes amid ongoing debates over the law’s impact on voter access, especially among communities of color.
Voting rights advocates have strongly criticized the law, arguing that it limits access to the polls for Black voters. However, Georgia’s officials defend the law, stating it ensures secure elections.
What is the Georgia Election Law?
Georgia's election overhaul, which passed in 2021, was set to introduce new changes to the voting process. Among these were:
- Voter Identification for absentee ballots: New requirement for photo ID to vote absentee by mail.
- Restrictions on absentee ballot drop boxes: Limits the number and locations of drop boxes.
- Reduction in absentee ballot request timeframe: Shortens the window for requesting absentee ballots.
- Prohibition of handing out water at polling places: Bans providing food or water to voters waiting in line
Supporters of the law say these changes were necessary for the adequate running of the elections and to prevent voter fraud Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, congratulated the decision saying: "Our commitment has always been to ensure fair and secure elections for every Georgian, despite losing an All-Star game and the left’s boycott of Georgia as a result of commonsense election law."
Brad Raffensperger is Georgia’s 29th Secretary of State. Photo: Georgia Secretary of State
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How does the Georgia Election Law impacts on Black voters?
The law includes several provisions that critics argue disproportionately affect Black communities, making it more difficult for them to vote. Here’s how these changes have impacted Black voters:
- Limitations on Ballot Drop Boxes: The new law reduced the number of drop boxes in urban areas with higher Black populations, while rural areas with more white voters saw an increase in drop boxes. This change made it harder for Black voters to access convenient voting methods.
- Earlier Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: The law set an earlier deadline for absentee ballot applications, leading to a higher rejection rate of applications from Black voters due to lateness. This trend worsened from 2020 to 2022, with Black voters' absentee requests being rejected at higher rates compared to white voters.
- Voter ID Requirements: The increased voter ID requirements disproportionately affected Black voters, who are less likely to have photo IDs, such as a driver’s license. This made it harder for many Black voters to meet the new identification standards and participate in the election process.