Steven Seward wrote:
Care to dispute any of that?
Pretty much everything you said. I'll just hit Georgia with notes from the NY Times analysis of the Georgia law:
Voters will now have less time to request absentee ballots. (The problem here is they need a photo government ID;
I don't have a problem with this, but many people of color work during the day and do not have the ability to go and get the ID during the workweek. This can be abrogated by having issuing cavities to be open longer than normal government hours).
There are strict new ID requirements for absentee ballots. (See above)
It’s now illegal for election officials to mail out absentee ballot applications to all voters. (This was during COVID - if a new plague comes along - that's a problemm.)
Drop boxes still exist … but barely. (The drop boxes were moved from areas readily accessible to voters of color - also not having ballot boxes available out side eliminates the ability of these workers depositing their ballots after they work).
Mobile voting centers (think an R.V. where you can vote) are essentially banned. (See above)
Early voting is expanded in a lot of small counties, but probably not in more populous ones. (i.e. not available in wards that are black or brown).
Offering food or water to voters waiting in line now risks misdemeanor charges. (because the poll sites are limited in black & brown areas - the lines are often long and cause the potential voters to be out waiting for hours).
If election problems arise, a common occurrence, it is now more difficult to extend voting hours.
With a mix of changes to vote-counting, high-turnout elections will probably mean a long wait for results.
Election officials can no longer accept third-party funding (a measure that nods to right-wing conspiracy theories).
With an eye toward voter fraud, the state attorney general will manage an election hotline. (now not an independent body).
The Republican-controlled legislature has more control over the State Election Board. (now not an independent body).
The secretary of state is removed as a voting member of the State Election Board.
The G.O.P.-led legislature is empowered to suspend county election officials. (now not an independent body).
Runoff elections will happen faster — and could become harder to manage.
I'm sure the above won't convince you - but that's on you, not me.