Atlanta mayor issues executive order against Georgia's new voting law

[RandySF]

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is taking action against the voting law that Gov. Brian Kemp signed on March 24.

On Tuesday afternoon, Bottoms issued an Administrative Order directing the City’s Chief Equity Officer to implement a series of actions to diminish what her office called “new voting restrictions” imposed by Senate Bill 202. Her office stated these actions will ensure every Atlanta resident can exercise their right to vote.

“The voting restrictions of SB 202 will disproportionately impact Atlanta residents—particularly in communities of color and other minority groups,” Bottoms said in a statement. “This Administrative Order is designed to do what those in the majority of the state legislature did not—expand access to our right to vote.”

The order will enact efforts to develop a plan within the city’s authority to expand opportunity and access to the ballot box, according to the mayor’s office.

The plan involves training staff members on voter registration and general information on early, absentee, and in-person voting. The city staff will provide that information to residents to ensure people know how to obtain the identification required for absentee voting.




https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/atlanta-mayor-issues-executive-order-against-georgias-new-voting-law/TBCD3TM3CNFYTMZCEKOKSVWFMQ/

[OldCicero]

1. Wait, wut?

So she's directing the City’s Chief Equity Officer to make sure that people are informed on how to comply with the new law.

How does that translate to taking action against the new law?

She's just doing her job it seems to me.

[lame54]

5. This will result in more votes getting through...

This law needs to be fought for sure

But come 2022 it may still be there

She is getting ready for that contingency

[unweird]

7. Aren't there prohibitions in the new law against helping people

Helping people to actually register and vote?

Seems like there are provisions that actually criminalize providing assistance but I may be mistaken.

[malaise]

2. She'll be on Ari after the break n/t

[Hoyt]

3. Unless/until the law is changed, this is the best approach. Get the word out

so people know the rules and how they can register and vote by mail, early voting, etc., while reducing hassles.

[MichMan]

4. Informing voters on the process and training staff is something new?

"The plan involves training staff members on voter registration and general information on early, absentee, and in-person voting. The city staff will provide that information to residents to ensure people know how to obtain the identification required for absentee voting.

The city is also developing plans to provide information on voter registration and absentee voting using water bills, QR Codes, and weblinks to city websites, according to the statement.

The order also seeks coordination with business and community leaders to create Public Service Announcements to explain the newest voting related deadlines and timelines."

[Cha]

6. Wow.. I love Mayor

Keisha!

[crickets]

8. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is wonderful! Good for her that she's taking action.

A little more from the article:

The city is also developing plans to provide information on voter registration and absentee voting using water bills, QR Codes, and weblinks to city websites, according to the statement.

The order also seeks coordination with business and community leaders to create Public Service Announcements to explain the newest voting related deadlines and timelines.

[oldsoftie]

9. Its actually very simple to get a voter ID or ID number.

We got my mom one without ever leaving the house.
Here's the website for Fulton Co
https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/services/licenses-and-certificates/get-a-voter-id

[Hoyt]

10. Not even needed under new law. Don't have those IDs, you can use last 4 digits of Social Security.

[uponit7771]

11. Not about voter ID though, its about getting rid of or decreasing access to voting via certain

... aspects of voting like vote by mail etc.

Looks like the kGQP sees that as their achilleas heel