GA Judge Denies Lawsuit Against Weekend Mail Ballot Drop-Offs

GA Judge Denies Lawsuit Against Weekend Mail Ballot Drop-Offs \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Georgia judge ruled against a Republican lawsuit seeking to prevent weekend drop-off of absentee ballots in Fulton County and other Democrat-leaning counties. The GOP argued that ballot drop-offs should end with early voting, but the judge upheld state law allowing in-person absentee ballot returns until Election Day. The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of election procedures in Georgia, particularly in Fulton County.

Georgia Judge Allows Weekend Absentee Ballot Drop-Offs: Key Points

• Judge Denies GOP Lawsuit: A Georgia judge dismissed the GOP lawsuit aiming to stop Saturday and Sunday in-person absentee ballot returns.
• Fulton County Targeted: The suit focused on Democratic-heavy Fulton County, though other counties planned weekend ballot return options.
• GOP’s Argument on Drop Boxes Rejected: Republicans argued ballot drop boxes should close with early voting, but the judge upheld the right to hand-return absentee ballots.
• Election Access in Fulton County: Fulton County clarified that public observers could be present at drop-off locations, addressing Republican concerns over transparency.
• Ongoing Election Oversight: Republican activists remain focused on Fulton County, citing election integrity concerns since the 2020 election.

Deep Look

On Saturday, a judge in Georgia dismissed a Republican lawsuit attempting to block several Democratic-leaning counties from accepting absentee ballots over the weekend, a decision reinforcing voters’ right to hand-deliver mail ballots to election offices until Election Day. This suit centered on Fulton County, a major Democratic stronghold encompassing much of Atlanta and representing approximately 11% of Georgia’s voters. However, at least five other Democratic-leaning counties had also planned to open election offices over the weekend to facilitate ballot drop-offs for voters.

The lawsuit was filed late Friday, referencing a provision in Georgia election law stating that ballot drop boxes are to close when early voting ends, which occurred on Friday. Yet, Georgia law also clearly permits voters to deliver absentee ballots in person to election offices until the close of polls at 7 p.m. on Election Day. Despite this language, attorney Alex Kaufman argued in an emergency Saturday hearing that voters shouldn’t be allowed to hand-deliver absentee ballots that were mailed to them. Kaufman’s interpretation proposed blocking hand deliveries between the end of early in-person voting and Election Day itself, although he conceded that ballots arriving by mail during this period would still be acceptable.

Judge Kevin Farmer of the Fulton County Superior Court, presiding over the hearing online, quickly dismissed Kaufman’s arguments. Farmer upheld the legal provision allowing voters to return their absentee ballots in person to election offices, stating, “I find that it is not a violation of those two code sections for a voter to hand-return their absentee ballots.” His ruling thus preserved the right for voters to drop off their ballots directly at county offices over the weekend.

The GOP has long scrutinized Fulton County’s election procedures, with Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, falsely claiming widespread voter fraud in the county following the 2020 presidential election. This scrutiny has translated into increased Republican focus on the county’s election practices, particularly with respect to absentee ballot handling. State GOP Chairman Josh McKoon criticized counties controlled by Democrats for “illegally accepting ballots,” and this narrative gained momentum among Republican activists online, especially after news circulated that Fulton County election officials had initially barred observers from sitting inside county offices during ballot drop-offs.

During the hearing, Fulton County elections director Nadine Williams clarified that county offices receiving absentee ballots are not polling places and have traditionally not allowed partisan poll watchers. Later, however, Williams issued an email clarifying that ballot drop-off locations would remain accessible to the public, confirming that no official credentials or badges were required for observers. She also highlighted that independent election monitors, along with investigators from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, were present to ensure transparency.

The lawsuit and its subsequent dismissal reflect the heightened partisanship surrounding election management in Georgia, with Republicans continuing to raise concerns about election security in Fulton County. Since the 2020 election, Fulton County has been a focal point in debates over election integrity. State and national GOP figures have frequently cited it as an example of alleged election mishandling, despite lack of evidence to support these claims.

Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez, spokesperson for Fulton County, noted that by Saturday afternoon, fewer than 30 ballots had been dropped off across the four open locations, signaling a modest but steady voter turnout for hand-delivering absentee ballots. The court’s decision allows counties like Fulton to continue accommodating voters seeking accessible ballot return options, providing flexibility for those unable to vote in person or mail in ballots ahead of Election Day.

This ruling arrives amidst continued efforts by both parties to ensure that voters understand their rights and options for casting ballots. The GOP’s lawsuit, aimed at limiting absentee ballot access between early voting and Election Day, is part of a broader trend where partisan scrutiny focuses on mail and absentee voting processes, often citing security and procedural compliance as concerns.

The decision to allow weekend drop-offs may prove beneficial in ensuring a smooth voting process and greater accessibility for Georgians in this critical election period. As Georgia approaches Election Day, both parties are likely to continue monitoring election office activities closely, particularly in high-density counties where voter turnout can significantly influence state and national results.

This ruling in favor of weekend absentee ballot drop-off aligns with the broader goals of election accessibility and underscores the legal protections enabling voters to deliver their ballots in person as part of Georgia’s electoral process.

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