Georgia Votes: Early Voting Soars Amid Concerns Over Mail-In Ballots
As Georgia approaches the pivotal presidential election on November 5, the early voting surge has already reached a historic record, with over 3.2 million residents casting their ballots in person—44% of registered voters. The early voting period concludes Friday, and election officials are urging voters to directly return mail-in ballots due to significant delays in the postal service.
This election marks a stark contrast to the contentious atmosphere following the 2020 election, when then-President Donald Trump and his allies propagated unfounded claims of absentee ballot fraud after losing Georgia by a narrow margin. Today, the landscape has shifted, with new voting laws implemented and a bipartisan group of Congress members criticizing the U.S. Postal Service for ongoing delivery issues.
Despite 342,000 absentee ballots requested, roughly 199,000 have been returned, leading advocacy organizations like Fair Fight Action to discourage reliance on mail delivery. CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo emphasized, “We do not recommend that voters put their ballot in the postal system,” urging them instead to utilize drop boxes or vote in person.
This election also encounters complications due to new voter ID regulations, resulting in the rejection of about 1,200 absentee ballots due to ID deficiencies. Organizations like VoteRiders are working on programs to assist voters in rectifying issues with their ballots.
On the campaign trail, Trump has encouraged early voting, moving away from previous rhetoric against absentee voting. In a polarizing environment characterized by distrust and misinformation, experts caution about its potential impact on voters’ confidence in the election process. As Georgia prepares for another high-stakes election, officials are striving to ensure that every eligible voice is heard and counted.
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