Biden concerned about new Georgia election law
President Joe Biden is “worried” about a new set of voting restrictions approved in the state of Georgia, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday.
The new law, signed on Thursday by Republican Governor Brian Kemp would prevent people from bringing water to voters in line, reduce open hours at polling locations and restrict the use of absentee ballots.
“There’s nothing more precious than the right to vote and speak up,” Psaki told reporters, adding that she expected President Biden to make a statement on the issue himself soon.
“It should be easier to vote,” she continued, “We should not put limitations in place. People should be able to vote from home. They should be able to use absentee ballots. There should be a range of restrictions that are undone, not put back in place.”
She also voiced support for efforts by congressional Democrats to pass federal voting rights and election reform legislation, efforts that have already run into strong Republican opposition.
Georgia’s new law will impose new limits, including stricter identification requirements, limiting drop boxes, giving lawmakers the power to take over local elections and shortening the early voting period for all runoff elections. Offering food and water to voters waiting in line will now be considered a misdemeanour crime.
Kemp offered no apology for “taking another step to making our elections fair and secure” but opponents describe the law as one of the country’s most damaging attempts to limit access to the ballot box in addition to being designed to reduce the influence of Black voters.
