Every State, Every Vote Responds to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s Attack on Voting Rights

Yesterday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law a bill restricting Georgians’ voting rights and seeking to disenfranchise Black voters.

The law includes measures such as implementing photo ID requirements for absentee ballots, limiting drop boxes, and criminalizing handing out water to voters waiting in long lines. The law also strips power from local election officials and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, no doubt a consequence of their refusal to overturn Georgia’s election results in Donald Trump’s favor.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown released the following statement:

“Georgia Republicans’ despicable new bill to limit access to the ballot box is unconstitutional, and a clear violation of voters’ rights. While Brian Kemp claims this order is to secure elections, the truth could not be more obvious – this is yet another partisan scheme to silence Black voters in upcoming elections. This new law will disproportionately impact communities of color, weaken our democracy, and create more chaos and confusion in upcoming elections.

“Georgia Republicans’ assault on our democracy will not stand. While Republicans spread lies about our elections and try to strip Americans of their rights, Democratic governors will continue to fight to protect voting rights and voting access. We look forward to removing Kemp from office in 2022, and electing a Democratic governor in Georgia.”

Republicans have introduced over 250 bills in 43 states with the goal of stripping Americans of their constitutional right to cast a ballot in a free and fair election. Experts estimate their proposals could create hurdles for tens of millions of Americans. Here are some of their recent attacks:

• Wisconsin Republicans introduced a number of ridiculous proposals, including drowning voters in paperwork when they apply for an absentee ballot, barring staff at assisted living sites from reminding residents of an upcoming election, imposing photo ID requirements, restricting drop boxes to one per municipality, and more.
• Arizona Republicans are considering proposals to require notarization for absentee ballots and eliminating no-excuse absentee voting altogether.
• Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed legislation making it much harder to vote early, despite having no evidence of widespread voting fraud in her state.
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called on state lawmakers to introduce bills making it harder to vote by mail, suggesting the state should limit the use of ballot drop boxes, require voters to request mail ballots more frequently than they already do, and prohibit ballot collection.