Georgia voters purged by GOP partisan policies designed to disproportionately disenfranchise low-income, youth, and minorities are the focus of a new Democratic effort to educate citizens about their status and how to restore voting rights. The Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee completed a postcard writing campaign to identify and write postcards to inform 1,600 Athens residents who have been removed from voter rolls.
The 2020 general election brought attention to Georgia, a new battleground state where Republicans have furthered their voter suppression techniques to maintain their extended control over the governorship, legislature, and congressional delegation. Although the election of Senators Warnock and Ossoff are viewed as signs of progress for resurgent Dems, the GOP has implemented draconian measures to suppress the very votes that led to that victory.
A group of Athens-Clarke County Democrats working closely with grassroots organizers from groups like Indivisible have vowed to take action to restore voting rights to thousands of purged voters and raise awareness about recent voter suppression legislation by the Republican-controlled state legislature at the direction of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who was also at the center of former President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to sway the 2020 election results through corrupt means.
The successful postcard campaign involved the entire community, with 1,600 names to inform of their removal from voter rolls. ACCDC member Angela Greene led the campaign to contact purged voters beginning September 1 and the task of contacting all affected Athenians was successfully completed.
The ACCDC would like to thank all of the volunteers who participated for their work and commitment to fair elections. This kind of community response to a fundamental right transcends partisan politics.
For more information about how to determine whether you as a voter have been purged, the Athens Democrats invite community members to confirm their voter status on the Georgia Secretary of State website. We ask residents concerned about voting rights to consider joining the local chapter of the Democratic Party, volunteering, and staying informed.
Jason Pratt
Communications
Athens-Clarke County Democratic Commitee