A group of approximately 30 concerned voters claiming to be from across Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens and Rabun counties protested voter suppression and provisions of Georgia House Bill 531 and Senate Bill 241 at Speaker of the House of Representatives David Ralston’s law office in Blue Ridge Thursday, March 4.
While Ralston was not at his law office, as he was in legislative session at the state capitol, the group left a letter requesting that he “seriously consider the negative impact” the provisions within the bills could have on voters and businesses in the state. They also overnight mailed a letter to his capitol office.
Protesters, including Fannin County Democrats Voter Protection Task Force Captain Mike Cobb, carried signs condemning voter suppression as they made their way to the front door of Ralston’s office, which is located in the Town & Country building on Orvin Lance Drive. The building’s owner, Donna Whitener, called law enforcement to the scene and, the group was asked to leave the private property. The protesters complied with law enforcement and left after sliding the letter under Ralston’s door.
The legislation, which would restrict ballot drop boxes, require more identification for absentee voting and limit weekend early voting days, passed the Georgia House by a 97-72 vote early last week and was headed to the state senate.
“We applaud your stated intention to provide voters throughout the state with ID cards sufficient to meet any requirements for voting,” the letter to Ralston read. “However, the fact remains that many voters, including seniors, do not have access to smart phones, scanners, printers and photocopiers necessary to produce copies to submit with absentee ballot applications and the actual ballots themselves. Our position on this issue is non-partisan. It is out of concern for the integrity of the voting process and voting rights. Seniors, especially those in your district and throughout rural and exurban Georgia, by and large vote Republican. Furthermore, there is no validated indication that voter fraud is an issue that rises to the level of the proposed measures. We realize this is a hot issue with many voters, but it would serve our elected officials to focus more on educating them than catering to unfounded accusations.”
The letter also addressed weekend early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, dropbox and polling locations, the voter fraud hotline and the impact on businesses.
While Cobb drafted the letter, he said it was a “joint effort” among the group.