Voting statement in response to SB 202

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta believes that every voice matters. Our organization has a long history of supporting nonpartisan civic engagement activities, including efforts to secure full eligible voter participation and achieve equitable representation.

Absent any proof of widespread fraud, the default should be to increase access to voting, especially given the widespread, coordinated and documented history of voter suppression.

We oppose legislation that reduces access to voter registration and casting a ballot in Georgia – such as limiting who can vote via absentee ballot, requiring ID to vote via Absentee Ballot, reducing access to ballot drop boxes, limiting early voting days and locations and more.

Yesterday, sweeping voting legislation was signed into law (SB 202). Key provisions with potential to limit voter access and raise concerns include: added identification requirements for voting by mail; shortening the absentee ballot request period; limited drop boxes to only inside early voting locations during business hours; criminalization of giving food and water to those waiting to vote; banning out of precinct voting (except 5-7pm on Election Day); giving the State Elections Board the authority to remove and replace county election boards and more. Thankfully, no excuse vote by mail, early and weekend voting in the general election and automatic voter registration were preserved.

Going forward, the Community Foundation remains committed to supporting nonprofits who work tirelessly to help eligible voters, especially eligible Black, Indigenous, Latinx and People of Color, exercise their right to vote.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash