Georgia Enacts New Voting Restrictions

[Freth]

If it takes 8-9 hours to vote, there are bigger issues going on. If it takes 1 hour to vote, it's an issue that needs resolved.

 

[Questioning Brother]

This is the third article I have read about this bill. All from left-leaning sources. Like CNN. I have noticed a difference in coverage between them and right-leaning news sources about legislation. The left tell you what they view as the effects and how wrong it is without giving you any details of what is actually in the bill. The right leaning ones will do the same, but tell you what is actually in the law. So the left tells you why you should hate it, and doesn’t give the info so you can make up your own mind. The right tells you why you should hate it, but gives information so you can decide for yourself. Hmm.....

 

[Thomas White]

This is the third article I have read about this bill. All from left-leaning sources. Like CNN. I have noticed a difference in coverage between them and right-leaning news sources about legislation. The left tell you what they view as the effects and how wrong it is without giving you any details of what is actually in the bill. The right leaning ones will do the same, but tell you what is actually in the law. So the left tells you why you should hate it, and doesn’t give the info so you can make up your own mind. The right tells you why you should hate it, but gives information so you can decide for yourself. Hmm.....

If you go back a few posts, you will see that I provided the actual law and the wording that makes it illegal for me to pass out water to people in line, something I have done for years.

 

[FenderTL5]

If it takes 8-9 hours to vote, I'm not voting.

Precisely the point.

 

[Questioning Brother]

If you go back a few posts, you will see that I provided the actual law and the wording that makes it illegal for me to pass out water to people in line, something I have done for years.

Yeah that part is a little extreme. Anyway, thanks for the link. I was in my comment talking about the difference in coverage. It was good to get a look at it.

 

[Questioning Brother]

Given Trump’s astonishing credentials, astute business acumen, and talents as a great stateman and leader, I can say with certainty that most of what he says and does is correct, if not all of it. If Trump defends someone from disreputable attacks, he does so with a sound mind and profound judgement. He is reputable, but his opponents are not. They just seem to hate him without merit.

Dude, I am a supporter, and I don’t think he was as good as your description.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

If we are both in line to vote in Georgia and you are thirsty, it is illegal for me to give you my extra bottle of water. I could go to jail because I don't want you to be dehydrated. Thank the legislation Governor Kemp signed behind locked doors yesterday. Let that sink in.

These two photos from the Georgia Capitol reveal what the state's new voting law is all about - CNNPolitics

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Can you Cite the law in which distributing water in a voting line is illegal? Or an example of someone being arrested for such?

 

[Thomas White]

Can you Cite the law in which distributing water in a voting line is illegal? Or an example of someone being arrested for such?

Post #21.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

"nor shall any person give, offer to give, or participate in the giving of any money or gifts, including, but not limited to, food and drink, to an elector..." (SB 202, 1812-1814)

You can find the entire bill at the following link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20212022/201121

SECTION 33.1807Said chapter is further amended by revising subsections (a) and (e) of Code1808Section 21-2-414, relating to restrictions on campaign activities and public opinion polling1809within the vicinity of a polling place, cellular phone use prohibited, prohibition of candidates1810from entering certain polling places, and penalty, as follows:1811"(a) No person shall solicit votes in any manner or by any means or method, nor shall any1812person distribute or display any campaign material, nor shall any person give, offer to give,1813or participate in the giving of any money or gifts, including, but not limited to, food and1814drink, to an elector, nor shall any person solicit signatures for any petition, nor shall any1815person, other than election officials discharging their duties, establish or set up any tables1816or booths on any day in which ballots are being cast:1817(1) Within 150 feet of the outer edge of any building within which a polling place is1818established;1819(2) Within any polling place; or1820(3) Within 25 feet of any voter standing in line to vote at any polling place.1821These restrictions shall not apply to conduct occurring in private offices or areas which1822cannot be seen or heard by such electors."1823"(e) This Code section shall not be construed to prohibit a poll officer from distributing1824materials, as required by law, which are necessary for the purpose of instructing electors1825or from distributing materials prepared by the Secretary of State which are designed solely1826for the purpose of encouraging voter participation in the election being conducted or from1827making available self-service water from an unattended receptacle to an elector waiting in1828line to vote."

 

[Thomas White]

SECTION 33.1807Said chapter is further amended by revising subsections (a) and (e) of Code1808Section 21-2-414, relating to restrictions on campaign activities and public opinion polling1809within the vicinity of a polling place, cellular phone use prohibited, prohibition of candidates1810from entering certain polling places, and penalty, as follows:1811"(a) No person shall solicit votes in any manner or by any means or method, nor shall any1812person distribute or display any campaign material, nor shall any person give, offer to give,1813or participate in the giving of any money or gifts, including, but not limited to, food and1814drink, to an elector, nor shall any person solicit signatures for any petition, nor shall any1815person, other than election officials discharging their duties, establish or set up any tables1816or booths on any day in which ballots are being cast:1817(1) Within 150 feet of the outer edge of any building within which a polling place is1818established;1819(2) Within any polling place; or1820(3) Within 25 feet of any voter standing in line to vote at any polling place.1821These restrictions shall not apply to conduct occurring in private offices or areas which1822cannot be seen or heard by such electors."1823"(e) This Code section shall not be construed to prohibit a poll officer from distributing1824materials, as required by law, which are necessary for the purpose of instructing electors1825or from distributing materials prepared by the Secretary of State which are designed solely1826for the purpose of encouraging voter participation in the election being conducted or from1827making available self-service water from an unattended receptacle to an elector waiting in1828line to vote."

Only a poll officer is not prohibited. Everyone else is.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Only a poll officer is not prohibited. Everyone else is.

I see. Just wanted to post the whole section for context. It seems as though the intent is to prevent a situation in which voters are being encouraged to vote a certain way in order to receive food and water. But that is just my assumption. The law was very poorly written.

 

[Thomas White]

I see. Just wanted to post the whole section for context. It seems as though the intent is to prevent a situation in which voters are being encouraged to vote a certain way in order to receive food and water. But that is just my assumption. The law was very poorly written.

That is certainly the intention. Unfortunately, as you say, it was written poorly, so now, it prohibits everyone.

 

[FenderTL5]

Only a poll officer is not prohibited. Everyone else is.

Even poll workers are prohibited from handing it out. The law only allows for making available self-service water from an unattended receptacle

 

[Aldebaran]

Even poll workers are prohibited from handing it out. The law only allows for making available self-service water from an unattended receptacle

That should certainly suffice.

 

[Thomas White]

That should certainly suffice.

When the line is 8-9 hours long, a poll worker is basically unreachable. They are all trying to get the line moving.

 

[Aldebaran]

When the line is 8-9 hours long, a poll worker is basically unreachable. They are all trying to get the line moving.

The voters could always fill up a bottle of water at home and bring it with them. I've seen poll lines where voters bring everything they need: lawnchair, unbrella, book, water, smartphone, etc.

 

[FenderTL5]

When the line is 8-9 hours long, a poll worker is basically unreachable. They are all trying to get the line moving.

Are we asking poll workers to fund the supply of water on their own or will taxpayers be picking up that tab?

 

[Thomas White]

Are we asking poll workers to fund the supply of water on their own or will taxpayers be picking up that tab?

Taxpayers or they just won't provide it at all.

 

[Thomas White]

The voters could always fill up a bottle of water at home and bring it with them. I've seen poll lines where voters bring everything they need: lawnchair, unbrella, book, water, smartphone, etc.
View attachment 297027

Of course, that is ideal, but the average citizen is not informed enough to know to do that. Most people are just hoping to pop in and vote before or after work. Some go during their lunch break. They aren't expecting long lines.

This prohibition is making it harder to vote. Instead of addressing long lines, the legislature decided that its efforts would do more good if they focused on banning people handing out water and food.

 

[Aldebaran]

Of course, that is ideal, but the average citizen is not informed enough to know to do that. Most people are just hoping to pop in and vote before or after work. Some go during their lunch break. They aren't expecting long lines.

This prohibition is making it harder to vote. Instead of addressing long lines, the legislature decided that its efforts would do more good if they focused on banning people handing out water and food.

First of all, that was only one tiny part of the bill. People are focusing on it like focusing on the trees and ignoring the forest.
Second, the voters are adults and are capable and intelligent enough to bring what they need for a given situation. If they can stand in line to ride an amusement park ride at Six Flags, then they should be intelligent enough to have what they need in line at the polls.