A federal judge in Georgia has declined to order the reopening of voter registration for the upcoming November elections, at least for now. The decision came after a hearing where three voting rights groups failed to demonstrate sufficient evidence that the aftermath of Hurricane Helene unjustly prevented individuals from registering before the state's deadline on Monday.
The lawsuit was filed by the Georgia conference of the NAACP, the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, and the New Georgia Project. These groups argue that the storm caused disruptions that hindered voter registration activities, particularly in the eastern half of the state where power outages and office closures were prevalent.
State officials and the state Republican Party have opposed the reopening of registration, citing logistical challenges for counties already preparing for early in-person voting. With Georgia's history of close election margins, the potential impact of even a few thousand votes is significant.
While the judge has set another hearing to consider additional evidence and legal arguments, the plaintiffs contend that the registration shutdown violates their constitutional rights under the First and 14th Amendments, as well as the National Voter Registration Act.
Similar challenges have arisen in other states affected by Hurricane Helene. Florida's request to extend registration was denied, while South Carolina and North Carolina have adjusted their deadlines. The outcome of the Georgia lawsuit could have implications for voter registration practices in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Advocacy groups have called for an extension of the registration deadline in affected Georgia counties, highlighting the importance of ensuring equal access to the electoral process for all citizens.
