can be abused. Plus, the legislation perpetuates the lie that trump won.
As far as "line warming," lines were pretty short in most precincts in Georgia in November, mostly because so many voted by mail or during the 4 weeks of early voting.
The polls themselves can offer water. People can bring their own water. If I don't vote by mail, I'll carry a few extra bottles for folks. Stands can be set up within 150 feet of the actual polls. And I think Democrats ought to throw a big party on the exit side of the polls, which is also not prohibited. Again, the polling place can offer water, which is what I plan on encouraging our county to do.
The "line-warming" portion of the law is really about soliciting votes by offering money, food, water, etc. That was arguably part of the previous law, just not as specific and mean-spirited. Point is, I doubt I'll be arrested for taking grandma a bottle of water if the polling place doesn't provide it, the lines are extremely long, etc.
The real problem with Georgia's law is that GOPers started out proposing ending no-excuse absentee voting, things like requiring absentee voters to send in photo copies of ID, etc. The final legislation, does not require a copy of anything, you just have to enter your driver's license number, State ID number, OR the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. That I don't find a burden as long as local Democratic organizations do their job of educating voters.
The bit about shortening the time to order an absentee ballot is also not really an issue. Even though the old law allowed you to request an absentee ballot 180 days before the election, the ballots weren't issued until about 40 days before the election. So, 75 days is plenty of time. Again, local Democratic organizations will have to help get the word out.
I am concerned about the GOPer majority legislature having more control. That can definitely be abused. But the other side to that is that as long as a GOPer holds the Sec of State Office, they had pretty good control and opportunity for abuse. After the 2018 election, when Stacy Abrams got beaten by KKKemp (who was SoS), we would have supported legislation to remove the SoS from direct control over elections.
The real thing that worries me is that GOPers showed their hand with the early proposals to do away with no-excuse absentee voting, etc. If they continue to lose key elections, they'll be back with more next year.
For me personally, I find the putting drop boxes inside polling places criminal. I have used the drop box outside my county election office for years. I can go anytime, I don't have to park, etc. Just drive up and drop it in. That really is an unnecessary hassle. I do agree that drop boxes need to be secure, but drop boxes should make it easy. I am hopeful counties will find a way to make drop boxes easily assessible.
I think Stacy Abrams was right last week when she encouraged people not to boycott yet. I hope she runs for governor next time around. That would really make a big difference in Georgia.
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