Judge Strikes Down Part Of GA Voting Law

A Federal Judge ruled Against a Ban on Photographing Voted Ballots, Friday, Throwing-Out a Part of Georgia’s New Election Law, while Allowing the Rest of it to stand.

The Decision, is the First time a Judge has Invalidated, a Section of the 98-page Voting Law, which also: Limits Ballot Drop Boxes; Requires more ID to Vote Absentee, and Allows the State Government to take over County Elections.

U.S. District Judge, J.P. Boulee, Rejected the Law’s Sweeping Prohibition of Photographing or Recording any Filled-Out Ballot, finding that such Far-Reaching Restrictions, Violate Freedom-of-Speech Protections, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Boulee upheld other Parts of the Law fought in the Lawsuit, including: a Requirement that Voters request Absentee Ballots at least 11 Days before Election Day, and a Prohibition on Election Observers communicating Information to Anyone other than Election Officials.

“The court recognizes that a preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy that should be granted sparingly, especially when it enjoins enforcement of a statute, but finds it is appropriate here given the constitutional rights at stake and plaintiffs’ satisfaction of the requisite burden,” Boulee wrote in a 39-page Order.

Other Changes to Georgia Elections:

- Absentee Ballots will be Verified based on Driver’s License Numbers or other Documentation instead of Voter Signatures.

- Ballot Drop Boxes will Only be allowed Inside Early Voting Locations and available strictly during Business Hours.

- Weekend Voting will be Expanded for General Elections, with Two Mandatory Saturdays offered Statewide. Counties could also choose to offer Early Voting on Two Optional Sundays.

- Early Voting for Runoffs will be Reduced to a Minimum of One week because Runoffs will occur Four weeks after General Elections.

- Members of the Public will be Prohibited from Distributing Food or Water to Voters waiting in line. Election Workers are Allowed to Set-Up Self-Service Water Stations for Voters in line.

- A Hotline to Report Illegal Election Activities will be Set-Up in the Attorney General’s Office.

- Counties will be required to Certify Election Results within Six days, instead of the 10 days currently allowed. Election Workers will also be Required to Count Ballots without Stopping until they’re Finished.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker