A federal judge in Georgia has decided against mandating the reopening of voter registration for the upcoming November elections, at least temporarily. Following a hearing on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross ruled that three voting rights organizations must present additional evidence to establish that the impacts of Hurricane Helene unfairly prevented individuals from registering before the state’s deadline on Monday. Another hearing has been scheduled for Thursday to further assess the situation.
The lawsuit, filed by the Georgia chapter of the NAACP, the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, and the New Georgia Project, alleges that the aftermath of the storm led to disruptions in voter registration efforts. State officials and the Georgia Republican Party have raised concerns about the logistical challenges of accommodating additional registrations amidst preparations for early in-person voting commencing the following Tuesday.
Georgia, with 8.2 million registered voters, plays a significant role in national elections, evidenced by the narrow margin of victory in the state in 2020. The plaintiffs argue that the hurricane hindered registration activities, pointing to power outages and closures of county election offices in affected areas. Concerns have also been raised about mail disruptions in several counties, including well-populated cities.
Comparisons with neighboring states show variations in responses to natural disasters impacting voter registration. While a court in Florida rejected a request to reopen registration, South Carolina extended its deadline after Hurricane Helene. The plaintiffs in Florida, including the League of Women Voters and NAACP chapters, are contemplating an appeal, citing challenges faced by individuals during the storm recovery process.
The legal battle in Georgia underscores claims that the closure of voter registration contravenes constitutionally guaranteed rights of equal protection and due process. The plaintiffs advocate for an extension based on the National Voter Registration Act, which mandates the acceptance of registrations up to 30 days before an election. Prior to the lawsuit, numerous advocacy groups had urged state officials to extend the registration deadline in impacted areas, highlighting the significance of voter access and participation in the electoral process.
