107,000 purged from Georgia voter rolls for not voting in past elections

[left-of-center2012]

Georgia officials removed an estimated 107,000 people from voter rolls because they decided not to vote in prior elections, according to a new report.

An APM Reports analysis found the voters were removed under the state's "use it or lose it" law, which starts a process for removing people from voter rolls if they fail to vote, respond to a notice or make contact with election officials over a three-year period.

After that three-year span, those who don't vote or make contact with authorities in two elections can be purged from the voter rolls under the Georgia law.

Such laws, generally enacted by GOP governments, have been growing more common, with at least nine states now having them, according to APM Reports.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/412195-georgia-purged-more-than-100000-people-from-voter-rolls-because-there-didnt

[Ohiogal]

1. Absolutely disgusting.

That's the only way the GOP can stay in power - manipulate voting rights to their advantage.

[Botany]

2. 16 million were nationwide purged prior to the 2016 election too

States purged more than 16 million voters from the rolls between 2014 and 2016. That number, calculated in a new report published Friday by the Brennan Center for Justice, is a significant increase from previous years and an indication that large numbers of eligible voters are likely being disenfranchised by inaccurate and unlawful voter roll maintenance.

The report comes just a few weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ohio’s voter purge system, clearing the way for more states to move forward with the types of purges that disproportionately impact low-income and minority voters.

https://thinkprogress.org/states-purged-16-million-voters-from-the-rolls-before-the-2016-election-1c5688dcaad7/

********

"the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ohio’s voter purge system" and the republicans see the courts as a
way to keep power as the demographics are against them.

[MineralMan]

3. Such laws were in place even 50 years ago.

In California, the law existed in the 50s and 60s. The reasoning was that people moved, but didn't cancel their voter registration. So, if a registered voter didn't vote in major elections for some time, the law let election officials remove that name. I learned that in my sophomore civics class in 1960. So, when I was campaigning for JFK at age 15, one of the things I was taught to ask was whether people were registered to vote at their current address. It was amazing how many people said they weren't or that they hadn't thought about that.

It's not a new thing. It's being misused, but it's not a new thing.

[TheBlackAdder]

6. Been voting for 37 years, no one I know was purged in NJ. My county sends multiple contact forms out

.

We get election board contact forms, and Driver's License/Vehicle Registration cards and a myriad of other state documents can serve as registration.

.

[MineralMan]

7. I don't know about New Jersey. I'm just telling you what the law

was in California back in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Such laws are pretty common, actually. They have been used widely. Back in those days, voter registration was done differently, too. I remember when I turned 21. I was in the USAF, and registered by mail at my permanent California address, while I was at language school in NY. It was quite a process, and I started very early to make sure I'd be able to vote in 1966.

It's a helluva lot easier to register now. In Minnesota, where I live now, you can even register at your precinct's polling place on Election Day.

In some states, though, the registration and voting process is complicated and designed to keep some people from voting. That's wrong and should be corrected with federal laws. Maybe when Democrats regain control of the federal government, that might happen.

[TheBlackAdder]

8. While states are tasked with controlling voting, it conflicts with the constitutional right to vote.

.

This is especially true of National Elections. That whole state control thing seems in conflict.

There shouldn't be this type of chicanery involving voting.


A person goes to jail if they vote twice, but a person who disenfranchises thousands benefits.

.

[mopinko]

4. 3 years? wtf?

at least make it 5, so 2 missed presidentials.

[Hoyt]

5. Agree with MineralMan. I've been purged several times. I moved to another county/district,

registered in the new county/district, but didn't notify former election officials (was just glad to get out). I think it's fine in those cases, which are the vast majority of "purges;" otherwise, someone would remain registered in several locations.

The excerpt in the OP from the Hill leaves out an important part -- After you don't vote for 3 years, and have received a notice without responding, you will be placed on INACTIVE list. That means, if you don't vote during the next 4 years or contact the registrar, you will be removed from the rolls. You can still vote during that additional 4 years. By golly, if someone hasn't voted in 7 years or responded to a notificiation, they have probably moved.

Now Georgia's Secretary of State and candidate for Governor -- KKKemp -- is definitely skewing things toward his favor in the gubernatorial race. That's wrong, and I hope it bites him in the voter count, although I suspect it will actually attract the ignorant white wing vote.

Further, it is so easy nowadays in Georgia to check your registration status, every day if you want -- on your computer, local Democratic office, library, or whatever -- and vote early and by mail. There is simply no excuse not to vote, you don't even have to go to the polls and can get help from local Democratic officials.

When I voted Wednesday, there was a long line. Did not see anyone turned away. Check your registration if you haven't already, and go vote, hopefully Blue. If you are listed as Inactive, you can still vote.