Voting rights groups on Thursday night filed a lawsuit just hours after Georgia enacted a law drafted by Republicans that gives state lawmakers more power over the elections and imposes a series of new restrictions on voting.
The 35-page complaint filed in the Atlanta federal court alleges that minority voters will be hit particularly hard by the new legislation, which plaintiffs say illegally suppressed voters’ rights in violation of constitutional protections and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
According to the process, the new restrictions are “clearly aimed at and will have the effect of making it more difficult for Georgia’s legitimate voters to participate in state elections”, adding that the measure will impose “unjustifiable charges” that will disproportionately affect people of color, as well as young, poor and disabled voters.
The lawsuit was opened shortly after the Gov. Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp’s Morning ReportThe Hill – Biden changes in obstruction Liberals think Biden just made it easier to get rid of obstruction Warnock visits Georgia State Rep. Cannon in prison after his arrest: ‘She didn’t deserve it’ MORE (R) signed a broad electoral bill, making voting rules stricter in the state of Peach, limiting the use of ballot boxes and defining photo identification requirements for absentee voting, among other restrictions.
The state General Assembly controlled by the Republican Party gave final approval to the measure in a party vote on Thursday.
Democrats have won crucial victories in the last few races in Georgia, both in 2020 and earlier this year. The state sent two Democratic senators to Washington after two January elections gave Democrats a minimal majority in the Senate. In November, President biden
Joe Biden’s Morning ReportThe Hill – Biden changes in obstruction GOP seems to squeeze Biden, Democrats on the border Sanders creates new headache for Biden in taxes MORE he became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since ex-President Clinton in 1992.
Georgia’s new voting law is among dozens of measures being considered by state legislatures across the country after President Trump
Donald Trump’s Morning ReportThe Hill – Biden changes in obstruction Republican party tries to squeeze Biden, Democrats on the border Elaine Luria endorses McAuliffe for governor in Virginia’s Democratic primaries MORE repeatedly lied about the 2020 presidential election being stolen through widespread electoral fraud, an allegation that is not supported by evidence.
Updated at 11:07 am