The NAACP recently announced that it will take legal action to challenge a Georgia law that creates challenges for unhoused voters.
Filed alongside the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, ACLU of Georgia and Dechert LLP, the lawsuit targets S.B. 189.
Passed in early May by Gov. Brian Kemp, Senate Bill 189 creates issues for voters, particularly those determined to have a “nonresidential” address. Under the bill, those living in shelters, college dorms, senior and nursing facilities, and other temporary housing areas are susceptible to scrutinization regarding their voting eligibility.
The law will also challenge voting rights for unhoused individuals by mandating that they use their county registrar’s office as their mailing address, creating more barriers to voting as there is less immediate access to any voting resources.
#BREAKING @Georgia_NAACP lawsuit filed against @GaSecofState for #SB189.
— Gerald A. Griggs (@AttorneyGriggs) September 24, 2024
"Senate Bill 189 is an outrageous attack on the Black vote and the fundamental right to participate in our democracy. This law not only targets our most vulnerable communities but also seeks to silence the… pic.twitter.com/Rw5pxWOGUk
Those affected include the 57% of Black Georgia citizens who are currently unhoused.
“Senate Bill 189 is an outrageous attack on the Black vote and the fundamental right to participate in our democracy. This law not only targets our most vulnerable communities but also seeks to silence the voices that demand change,” said Attorney Gerald Griggs, President of the Georgia NAACP, in a statement. “We call for accountability: every eligible Georgian must have the opportunity to vote without fear of intimidation or unnecessary barriers. The power of the Black vote is undeniable, and we will not stand by while it is threatened.”
The NAACP lawsuit comes amidst other changes enacted by the Georgia State Election Board. Announced on Friday, the newest controversial rule passed by the board will have ballots hand counted, raising concerns on disinformation and delays. Rather than keeping ballots sealed, the latest change will have poll workers count the total numbers of ballots entered rather than who has more votes.
Other proposals included other conservative choices, such as having more citizen poll watchers to watch over the ballots.
Scheduled for Nov. 5, the election is set to be held in less than two months. Per CNN , in the latest poll, researchers revealed that the presidential race is close with both candidates drawing in nearly the same amount of support. As of now, 48% of voters support Vice President Kamala Harris while 47% support Donald Trump.
Only about 2% of likely voters currently say that they don’t have a candidate they would like to support, while another 12% say that, even though they have chosen a candidate, they could potentially change who they support.
