In America, the right to vote is sacred. However, some Georgia lawmakers want to place undue and unequal burdens on Georgians attempting to exercise their right to vote. If the legislature doesn’t act urgently, many Georgians will have more difficulty voting than other Americans.

Mass voter challenges threaten every single Georgian attempting to have a voice in the democratic process–the process that makes America and Georgia the home of the free. Out-of-state extremists have weaponized voter registration in our state by attempting to influence the outcome of our elections by forcing hard-working Georgians to step away from their daily responsibilities to prove the accuracy of their voter registration. These groups think they can win by scaring voters away. They think Georgians aren’t paying attention to their antics. But we are. And it’s time for Georgia’s legislature to stand up to these outside agitators and protect our right to have our vote counted and our voices heard. It’s time for Georgia legislators to stand up against House Bill 976 and stop these targeted attacks against Georgians.

House Bill 976 is built on the foundation of “the Big Lie” told by outside groups funded by billionaire activists and aimed at hardworking, honest Georgians. We don’t want our legislators caving to outside groups in their attempt to influence election outcomes. We don’t want to spend our hard-earned time and resources defending ourselves against unfounded allegations about the accuracy and honesty of our information. Why should Georgians have to go out of our way to defend our honesty, integrity, and constitutional rights?

The Georgia politicians who support making it easier for these out-of state groups to challenge the honesty of Georgians don’t seem to understand that regular, hardworking Georgians are already stretched thin. Any effort to take up more of our time and resources in order to vote is an effort to keep us out of the voting booth.

Every single Georgian that meets the legal requirements to vote should be able to do so. Georgians are honest, we are hardworking, and we are paying attention. It is time for Georgia legislators to stand against these outside activists and stand up for Georgians. It is a matter of our freedom and a matter of our honesty.

Joey McKinnon
Georgia Values Action
Atlanta, GA