Georgia Legislature Passes Sweeping Elections Bill
The Republican-majority Georgia state legislature Thursday passed Senate Bill 189, covering several election-related issues. It now goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's office for his signature or veto....
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Facts
- The Republican-majority Georgia state legislature Thursday passed Senate Bill 189, covering several election-related issues. It now goes to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's office for his signature or veto.1
- The bill, which passed 101-73 in the House and 33-22 in the Senate, would allow any presidential candidate who is qualified in at least 20 other states to be on the ballot in Georgia.2
- In addition, residents would be allowed to challenge voter registration for several reasons, including a subsequent registration in another state, using a different address for a homestead tax exemption, or registering with a nonresidential address.3
- Another provision would require counties to report the results of absentee ballots within one hour of polls closing. Counties would also be allowed to issue paper ballots in districts with fewer than 5K people.4
- Residents with no permanent address would be required to register with the address of the registrar of the county in which they reside. They're currently allowed to register using shelters or government offices.1
- Ballot counters would also be required to use the physical printed text to count votes rather than bar code scanners, as well as print high-resolution ballots.3
Sources: 1NBC, 2NPR Online News, 3Guardian and 4FOX 5 Atlanta.
Narratives
- Republican narrative, as provided by PJ Media. Despite what Democrats may say, this common-sense bill will prevent dead people from voting and restrict those who are alive from voting twice. Pres. Biden's margin of victory in the state in 2020 was extremely small, so it's important to ensure that 2024 and every election is free and fair.
- Democratic narrative, as provided by ACLU of Georgia. Republicans know this is a voter-suppression bill and that's why they rushed it through before the close of the legislative session and before the opposition could read it. If it becomes law, it will make it more difficult for those from marginalized communities to have their voices heard.
