Civil rights groups in Georgia are sounding the alarm about new voting rules that they say make it too easy to challenge the eligibility of certain groups, including people in nursing homes, college dorms, military facilities, and homeless individuals. These rules, part of a broader law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, allow for the challenging of individuals living at “nonresidential addresses.” The law also requires homeless individuals without a permanent address to collect election-related mail at the registrar’s office in the county where they live, a provision set to take effect in January.
Critics argue that these rules will disproportionately impact marginalized communities, such as Black people and victims of domestic violence. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that these provisions violate the voting rights of homeless and housing insecure individuals.
Georgia has become a focal point for election law changes ahead of the upcoming election, with more than 63,000 voters having their eligibility challenged since the new law took effect in July. While proponents of the law argue it’s a step towards restoring faith in elections, critics fear it will disenfranchise vulnerable populations.
States like Utah and Colorado have implemented more inclusive policies allowing homeless individuals to use unconventional addresses for voting. However, the barriers homeless individuals face in obtaining proper identification to vote remain a significant challenge. Democratic lawmakers in Georgia have raised concerns that the new rules could create obstacles for elderly individuals in nursing homes and military personnel deployed overseas. The unfolding situation in Georgia serves as a microcosm of the broader battle over voting rights and access in the United States.
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