A Georgia judge has ruled that seven new election rules passed by a state board backed by former President Donald Trump are “illegal, unconstitutional, and void.” The rules, which were put in place by the State Election Board, sought to limit the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, require photo ID for absentee voting, restrict early voting on weekends, and give the state more control over local election officials.
Superior Court Judge Brian Amero’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by a group of voters and organizations challenging the new rules. The judge found that the State Election Board overstepped its authority in passing the rules and that they violated the state constitution’s requirements for election administration.
The decision is seen as a major blow to Republican efforts to tighten voting restrictions in the state. Georgia was a key battleground in the 2020 election, with President Joe Biden winning the state by a narrow margin. Trump and his supporters have claimed without evidence that the election was stolen through widespread fraud, leading to attempts to change election laws in the state.
The ruling is likely to be appealed, and the legal battle over voting rights in Georgia is expected to continue. Advocates for voting rights hailed the decision as a victory for democracy, saying that the rules would have made it harder for marginalized communities to vote. They have called for continued efforts to protect and expand access to the ballot box for all eligible voters.
Overall, the ruling is a setback for Republican efforts to restrict voting rights in Georgia and a win for advocates of fair and accessible elections. The legal battle over voting rights is likely to continue, as both sides are expected to fight for their positions in court.
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