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On Thursday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed into law a massive voter suppression bill limiting the use of drop boxes, requiring ID to vote-by-mail, and allowing the state legislature to takeover local election boards.
The bill comes on the heels of record turnout during the 2020 presidential election in which Black and Brown communities braved 8-hour wait times to vote during a global health pandemic. Advancement Project National Office, a 21st century racial justice organization released the following statement.
“We vehemently condemn the move by Georgia legislators to silence the voices of voters who braved a global health pandemic to cast a ballot in 2020,” said Jorge Vasquez, Power and Democracy Director for Advancement Project National Office.
“Georgia clearly illustrates why we must restore federal oversight of elections for states like Georgia that have a history of voter discrimination. This legislation is a monster voter suppression bill that directly attacks communities of color, young people, and people with a disability. Last fall, a multi-racial coalition translated their protest power against state violence into power in the voting booth to make monumental change. And, instead of trying to win elections in the marketplace of ideas, state officials are attacking the foundation of our democracy by vesting undue power in the Georgia legislature which is deeply committed to suppressing the vote.
“This new legislation also clearly shows that conservative lawmakers up for re-election next year are terrified of the multi-racial coalition that elected two Democratic senators. Requiring ID to vote-by-mail, limiting the use of drop boxes, and banning the provision of food and water to those waiting hours in line to vote is a long-term strategy to maintain their power under the guise of ‘election integrity.’
“If there ever was a time for the United States Congress to pass H.R. 1/ S. 1, the For the People Act, and H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, it is now. Advancement Project National Office will continue to work with our grassroots partners like the New Georgia Project to combat voter suppression. We urge Congress to pass federal legislation to block measures like the Georgia legislation before it is implemented.”
Advancement Project National Office is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change. Visit www.advancementproject.org
