ACLU of Georgia slams plan to close many of county's polls
Source: Associated Press
Brinley Hineman, Associated Press
Updated 2:38 pm CDT, Wednesday, August 15, 2018
ATLANTA (AP) Civil rights advocates are objecting to a proposal to close about 75 percent of polling locations in a predominantly black south Georgia county.
The Randolph County elections board is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss a proposal that would eliminate seven of nine polling locations in the county, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia. Included in the proposed closures is Cuthbert Middle School where nearly 97 percent of voters are black.
. . .
The median household income for the county was $30,358 in 2016, compared to $51,037 in the rest of the state. Nearly one-third of the county's residents live below the poverty line, compared to about 16 percent statewide, according to U.S. Census figures.
The closure of polling places will affect those who lack reliable transportation, the ACLU says. Public transit doesn't exist in much of the rural county, and 22 percent of the county's residents have no car. People who currently vote at the polling places that would close under the proposal would have to travel an additional 10 miles to vote, the ACLU says.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/ACLU-slams-proposal-to-close-many-polls-in-13158493.php
SergeStorms
(19,201 posts)<snip>
With no car or bus to reach a different polling location, this predominantly black, Democratic county will not be able to fairly vote, ACLU of Georgia executive director Andrea Young said.
"If you don't have a car and you want to vote in-person, you have to walk three-and-a-half hours," Sean Young said.
In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back Voting Rights Act requirements that required many jurisdictions to receive permission before changing ways people are allowed to vote. They used to have to prove the voting changes weren't discriminatory, but that's no longer the case.
"This is an example of what localities are doing without the pre-clearance requirement," Andrea Young said.
In addition to statewide offices, Randolph County voters will also vote for state legislative seats in November. All nine polling locations were used during this year's primary and Republican run-off, so it is unclear why the locations would be closed down, Andrea Young said.
<snip>
No, nothing racist about this, from the party of racists and white supremacists. They're getting more blatant about it with each passing day, now that they have their Racist in Chief installed (compliments of lily-white Russia) in the White House.
brer cat
(24,565 posts)voted for Hillary 55%, Asshole 44%? No, no it would not.
SergeStorms
(19,201 posts)61% Black, so no, it wouldn't surprise me one little bit.
Considering they kept all of these polling places open this year for the Republican primary elections, it seems somewhat fishy that they want to close them now that Democrat's votes will be counted. Certainly no double standard there, right?
The only way Republicans can win is by CHEATING!
brer cat
(24,565 posts)It's like they need to SHOUT out how they cheat and steal; they are proud of it.
turbinetree
(24,701 posts)November 2018 cannot get here fast enough........................vote
SergeStorms
(19,201 posts)if they were allowed to. And even if they were allowed to vote, would their vote be counted?
This is what we're up against with the criminal Republicans in charge of everything. Of course with their pals, the Russians, manipulating vote tabulations I guess the point is moot. Even if they get to vote, their votes may not be counted. It's a sad state of affairs, which is why Democrats must take back the House of Representatives in November by any means necessary!
turbinetree
(24,701 posts)I still think that Stacy is going to win, and we need to take back the house, that is the bottom line..................
kimbutgar
(21,148 posts)That said some rich production company that works In Georgia could hire buses to get people to the polls on election day and before for early voting.
Ilsa
(61,695 posts)Just so you know.
kimbutgar
(21,148 posts)world wide wally
(21,743 posts)Bigger than Russian hacking
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)for Stacy Abrams. This is going to be a very close election. I hope the ACLU is successful.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)When AAs got the right to vote. Reading tonight "Fire In A Canebrake--the last mass lynching in America"
Takes place in rural GA, and yeah has to do with voter suppression
NOMOGOP
(87 posts)in heavily Asian district lead to arrest of organizer. In 2016 some 80k names were turned in for registration in a particular district. Thrilled w/the #, activists checked w/county clerk to check on registration progress were told only ~50k were registered. When clerk confronted w/disparity organizer(s) arrested for a short time. The Republikkkan party is a CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION.