UPDATE: A federal judge in Georgia denied the plaintiffs request for emergency relief, ensuring that all valid absentee ballots turned in through the Election Day deadline will be counted.
ATLANTA, GA — Today, the League of Women Voters of Georgia, Georgia State Conference of the NAACP, and Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda filed an amicus brief in Republican National Committee v. Mahoney to ensure that absentee ballots received over the weekend are counted. Seven Georgia counties kept election offices open over the weekend to allow absentee voters additional time to return their ballots. Georgia’s election code explicitly permits counties to accept absentee ballots returned during this time and in this way.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Savannah, was filed by the Republican National Committee and Georgia Republican Party, seeking a ruling that absentee ballots returned over the weekend are invalid and cannot be counted.
“Blocking absentee ballots from being counted disenfranchises a large segment of Georgia voters, often those who face barriers to in-person voting," said Nichola Hines, president of the League of Women Voters of Georgia. “Counting all ballots ensures that every voice is heard, reinforcing a fair and representative system. The League of Women Voters of Georgia will continue to fight for Georgians to ensure all voters have their votes counted.”
“Efforts to deny voters their right to vote — including litigation — undermine our democracy and must not be validated by courts," said Marcia Johnson, chief counsel of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “Georgia law allows absentee ballots to be returned up until and including Election Day, so blocking absentee ballots unlawfully disenfranchises voters and undermines their right to participate in democracy. The League of Women Voters remains an advocate for all voters to ensure their voices are heard.”
Amici are represented by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Law Offices of Gerald Weber, LLC.
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