Anti-Voting Bill Passes Georgia House

The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy – but it’s been under attack across the country.

On February 23, 2017, House Bill 268 passed in the Georgia House and is on its way to the Senate. This is a dangerous bill that makes it harder for Georgians from all walks of life to vote. In addition to illegally restricting the types of identification that can be used to register to vote, H.B. 268 also discriminates against election protection and voter information volunteers, and increases the risk of voter intimidation and disenfranchisement.

In Georgia, we can’t stand for that. That’s why the Georgia House Democratic Caucus has announced five new bills this session to reverse the tide and increase access to the polls.

There’s the “Any Precinct Act,” the “Absentee Ballot Access Act,” the “Georgia Voters’ Bill of Rights,” the “Permanent Portable Registration Act,” and the “Timely Process Act.” Share information about these bills with your friends and neighbors.

These commonsense measures need your support, and we must sound the alarm about H.B. 268 as well. Here’s what you can do:

1. Call your state representative and let them know that you support our bills, and call your state senator to let them know you oppose H.B. 268. State your name, zip code, and a reason for your support. Here is a sample conversation:

“Hello. My name is Jane Smith and my zip code is 12345. I am calling to express my opposition to House Bill 268. We should be making it easier for people to head to the polls on Election Day, but this bill only makes it harder. I would also like to express my support for the ‘Any Precinct Act,’ which would make it far easier for me as a commuter to vote on Election Day.”

Find the contact information for your representation here.

2. Write a letter to the editor (LTE) for your local paper. These letters are a short, simple way to publicly endorse a bill. Learn how to write an LTE and see our examples here.

Voting should be simple, and these bills help streamline the process. Thank you for making your voice heard.