Georgia sued third time over voting restrictions

Civil rights groups intensified their legal fight against Georgia’s new voting restrictions with a third federal lawsuit, while Atlanta-based corporation Delta Air Lines Inc and Coca-Cola continued to face boycott calls from activists who say they need to do more to oppose the law.

The Republican-backed law, which Governor Brian Kemp signed last week, strengthened the identification requirement for absentee ballots, gave lawmakers the power to take over local elections, sharply limited the use of ballot drop boxes, shortened early voting periods for runoffs and made it a misdemeanour for a member of the public to offer food and water to votes waiting in lines.

Sophia Lakin of the American Civil Liberties Union said, ”This law is voter suppression, plain and simple, and aimed at making it harder for Black and brown and other historically disenfranchised communities to have a voice in our democracy.”

”It is an absolutely shameful response to the historic participation by these communities in the last election cycle.”

The state has already faced two other similar lawsuits brought by civil rights groups over the law.

Kemp’s office declined to comment on pending litigation.

Umul Aiman Shaikh

Umul Aiman is a media student currently pursuing her third year degree from Rizvi college of Arts, Science and Commerce (Mumbai) with a specialization in journalism. She has strong hold on Communication and Content writing .She is enthusiastic and passionate towards her work .She is currently working as journalist at USnewshour.com and can be reached at sumulaiman13@gmail.com