Georgia Republicans propose a new round of voter supression.
MACON, Ga. — On Friday, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger proposed three changes that he says would help restore public faith in Georgia elections.
"Close elections sow distrust. People feel their side was cheated," said Raffensperger in a press conference.
First, he says his office should have the power to intervene in counties with "systemic ongoing problems" in running their elections.
Republican State Representative Dale Washburn says while he hasn't seen all of the details that go along with Raffensperger's proposal, he says he agrees with this part.
"We do have some counties where it does seem to be a pretty normal routine that there's a lot of delays, a lot of problems."
Raffensperger also wants more power to challenge voters suspected of not living where they vote and changes in absentee ballots, like requiring voters to mail a copy of their voter ID.
Washburn says he has a problem with that. He says he doesn't support "no excuse" absentee ballots.
He says absentee ballots should be reserved for people who absolutely can't make it to the polls, like those serving in the military or college students.
"I have very strong feelings about this. I personally, as a state representative, do not believe that we should have mail in voting as an alternative way to vote," he says. "There is no question that there is too much opportunity for fraud with mail in ballots."
Democratic House Minority Leader James Beverly says he does not support Raffensperger's proposal.
"If they start cherry-picking stuff about what they want, it's going to become very obvious to the general public that these are voter suppression tactics 2.0. 2020 style."
https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/georgia-state-legislators-react-to-proposed-election-reform/93-1b37fb7b-0f9e-49ce-a818-b8600e9eea48
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