Democrats are furious. New rules were passed in the state regarding qualifying for the Presidential ballot. Senate Bill 189 passed pretty well with the House voting 101 to 73 and the Senate 33-22. The last step is Governor Brian Kemp. Georgia Republicans have repeatedly considered changes because of suspicion of fraud of the 2020 election. The bill defines “probable cause” for challenging a vote.
Changes in the bill
It grants access to the Georgia ballot to any political party that qualified for the presidential ballot in 20 states or territories. This could give a boost to an independent candidate such as Robert Kennedy Jr.
That “probable cause” could lead voters to being removed from rolls. It includes people who could be dead, registered or voted someplace else or registered a homestead exemption on their taxes in a different jurisdiction.
The bill defines probable cause
It’s more simplified, says Senate Ethics Committee Chairman Max Burns. “We define probable cause very simply.” Democrats had a fit.
They screamed it would encourage unwarranted attacks on voters that could overwhelm election workers. There has been a lot of voter challenges in recent years in the state, over 100,000. In larger counties of Georgia there have been thousands of fraudulent registrations submitted at a time.
Democrats hate the bill
Democrat Ruwa Romman called it lies. This bill and others chip away at democracy. “We have a responsibility to push back on lies, not turn them into legislation.”
Republican Victor Anderson pointed out that it actually makes it tougher to challenge a registration. Just having someone’s name on the postal service change of address list isn’t sufficient cause. “Colleagues, I contend that our bill actually makes the process of challenging more difficult.” House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman John LaHood, a Republican, says this should increase confidence in your vote being counted. “What this bill does is ensure that your legal vote does matter.” It requires counties report absentee ballots an hour after the polls close.