ATLANTA — On Thursday, a federal judge ruled against reopening voter registration in Georgia ahead of the upcoming elections, even after Hurricane Helene caused disruptions throughout the state.
U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross concluded that there will be no extension to the voter registration deadline, which had closed the previous Monday. During her ruling, she articulated that the claims made by the groups seeking the reopening did not adequately demonstrate that their members experienced harm due to the hurricane’s impact. Ross noted that there are no state laws empowering either Governor Brian Kemp or Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to extend the voter registration period. While some testimony was given that a couple of individuals were unable to register, Ross deemed it too vague to directly associate those circumstances with the challenges posed by the hurricane. She stated, “I don’t think we had even one voter who had been harmed or would likely be harmed by failure to register to vote.”
The judge echoed concerns shared by the state and the Republican Party regarding potential disruptions to the electoral process, particularly since absentee ballots had already been distributed and early voting was set to begin soon. She remarked, “The harm to the state’s interests outweighs the plaintiffs’ interests,” indicating her agreement with the notion that altering the registration deadline could create further complications.
The lawsuit was initiated by several organizations, including the Georgia chapter of the NAACP and the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, who contended that the disruptions caused by the hurricane resulted in unfair obstacles to registering to vote. They stated that many registration events were called off due to the severe weather. Historically, Georgia sees a surge in registrations as deadlines approach, making the timing particularly critical.
Amir Badat, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, emphasized the gravity of the situation, arguing that many prospective voters could face complete disenfranchisement. He asserted that Governor Kemp had emergency powers allowing him to extend the deadline. However, Elizabeth Young, a Senior Assistant Attorney General, countered by asserting that the right to vote differs from the ability to conduct voter registration drives. “It’s the right to vote,” she maintained.
Court representatives from the NAACP and Coalition for the People’s Agenda expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling, reiterating their commitment to safeguarding voter rights despite the setback. “We’re still going to fight to make sure every voter’s rights are protected,” stated Helen Butler, executive director of the coalition, adding that they believe there were indeed individuals affected.
Currently, Georgia boasts 8.2 million registered voters, according to state records. With the 2020 presidential race in Georgia having been decided by a mere 12,000 votes, the stakes remain high for local voters. The lawsuit highlighted that the hurricane hindered the registration process, particularly for individuals with driver’s licenses, due to extensive power and internet outages affecting much of the eastern part of the state.
In addition, with around 37 county election offices closing intermittently last week and mail services being disrupted in 27 counties, many potential voters faced significant barriers. The situation is mirrored in Florida, where a federal judge also dismissed a request to extend voter registration for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene; while in South Carolina, a federal court allowed for an extension following similar weather-related chaos.
In North Carolina, which experienced heavier damage from Hurricane Helene, the registration period will remain open until Friday, and voters there are permitted to register and vote concurrently during early voting events that begin mid-October. Prior to the litigation in Georgia, approximately 40 advocacy organizations had urged state leaders, including Governor Kemp and Raffensperger, to extend the registration deadline for counties affected by the hurricane.