Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda Notes Black Voters Ruptured Early Voting Turnout Records Despite New Restrictive Election Law Hurdles
Atlanta - With all eyes on Georgia during the state’s early voting for the midterm elections, Black voters turned out en masse the first week of early voting, not only breaking previous records, but also defying challenging hurdles presented by the new restrictive election laws passed last year. The Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda (People’s Agenda) worked tirelessly throughout the state the entire year educating voters on the new laws, encouraging early voter turnout, and providing nonpartisan support and assistance to thousands throughout the voting process.
Helen Butler, executive director of the People’s Agenda, commented, “I was elated to see how many people showed up to vote during the first week because it let us know that the word was out and that our people need to vote early and bring all kinds of ID in case you happen to be among those whose vote was randomly challenged. I was disappointed to see that Georgia voters were faced with so many of the same unresolved problems that have happened in the past.”
Butler adds, “Several counties experienced technical glitches with the eNet system that checks voters in. There were no problems with voting machines at all, but there were issues with printers, scanners, and an insufficient number of poll workers assigned to the check in process. The myriad of problems caused long lines and waiting times over three hours for some people. In Troup County the ballots had the incorrect race.”
Coordinators with the People’s Agenda found that many of the skilled poll workers that managed the polls for decades are senior citizens that declined work this election due to threats of violence workers experienced at local precincts in 2020. Also, the publicized attacks on poll workers like Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss made it difficult to recruit new poll workers. They also pointed out that some voters found out their voter status had been challenged and had to cast a provisional ballot even though there is a way for the poll worker to recertify voters. SB 202, the voter integrity law passed last year that many said unfairly suppresses the Black vote, allows a single person to challenge the qualifications of an unlimited number of voters. Counties had to reallocate resources to investigate thousands of challenges, many of them were frivolous.
Rev. Timothy McDonald, pastor, First Iconium, and a member of the People’s Agenda expressed, “Georgia needs to make sure that all polling locations are prepared to accommodate the number of voters that show up in a day. Long lines suppress the vote by making it too difficult for some people to find two, three, or four hours to cast a ballot. It is especially difficult for people from disadvantaged communities who have kids and work long hours and sometimes two jobs.”
“I was pleased to see that the people at my early voting location refused to leave. They waited as long as necessary to cast their ballot. I hope that every voter in every corner of the state recognizes the value of their vote and stays the course. We’re telling voters not to leave until they vote. We can’t allow defective equipment and understaffed polling locations in our communities to suppress that powerful vote that our ancestors sacrificed so much for,” Rev. McDonald adds.
Felicia M. Davis, convener, Clayton County Black Women’s Roundtable, a member of the People’s Agenda, states, “We worked so hard to encourage Clayton County to vote, we were delighted to see the turnout. The reports that lines were not moving on the first day of early voting was disheartening, especially since the problems with the check-in system are the same problems that surfaced during the primaries. With all the attention on Georgia, so much at stake and questions of integrity, government officials need to get it right because we’re determined to vote. No matter the problem, no matter how long it takes, we may get thirsty or weary, but we will stand in line until we are able to vote. We will exercise the power of the ballot.”
ABOUT THE GEORGIA COALITION for the PEOPLE’S AGENDA
Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda (http://thepeoplesagenda.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization performing year-round voter registration, education, and mobilization in Black communities throughout Georgia. Led by board chair, Rev. J. A. Milner, and Helen Butler, the organization has headquarters in Atlanta and offices in Athens, Albany, Macon, Augusta, LaGrange and Savannah.