Georgia’s General Election Certification Approaches
Common Cause Georgia Offers Reflection on the General Election
Press
Media Contacts
Katie Scally
Communications Director
kscally@commoncause.org
408-205-1257
Jennifer Garcia
Regional Communications
jgarcia@commoncause.org
321-460-3257
Press Release
Court clarifies that voting must be able to continue uninterupted if voting machines fail, declines to prescribe amount required
In an amicus brief filed in the long-running Curling v. Raffensperger lawsuit, Common Cause asked United States District Judge Amy Totenberg to require paper ballots equal to 40% of registered voters at each polling site. That number was based on projections of ballot usage during peak voting times, so voters would be able to vote at their polling place even in cases of voting system failures lasting three hours. In a decision issued tonight, Judge Totenberg declined to require a specific number of paper ballots.
Press Release
Common Cause Georgia, the Brennan Center ask Federal Judge to Require More “Emergency” Paper Ballots
Common Cause Georgia, represented by the Brennan Center for Justice, today took legal action to ensure voters would not be denied the right to vote in the November election, even if voting machines fail.
Press Release
Today’s Federal Court Ruling – Common Cause Responds
Federal District Court Justice Amy Totenberg today issued a ruling requiring the Georgia Secretary of State and local elections officials to ensure that polling places use paper backups of electronic poll books in the event of electronic pollbook failure. "Judge Totenberg’s order is a victory for voters and for the integrity of our elections. Common Cause Georgia has been working to improve our elections infrastructure for years...."
Press Release
Why Are Georgia Officials Silent on Rick Thompson’s Link to Possible Voter Suppression Scheme?
The people of Georgia deserve some answers. Georgia Government Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission (Ethics Commission) Chair Jake Evans said the commission will investigate and staff or board members who have “credible allegations of wrongdoing against them” -- but has not committed yet to investigating Commissioner Rick Thompson’s connections to Blue Sky Medical Labs, LLC, or Thompson’s and his business partner’s connection to a fake donor sting in North Carolina.
Press Release
GA Secretary of State Clarifies Returning Citizens’ Voting Eligibility
Georgia’s Secretary of State has added language to his website, clarifying that “outstanding monetary obligations other than fines, such as unpaid restitution, fees, costs, or surcharges” are not a barrier to voting, for people who have been convicted of a felony.
Press Release
Common Cause Georgia Responds to Secretary Raffensperger’s Irresponsible Announcement
"Voters deserve to be able to have confidence in our elections systems. Even in the middle of a pandemic – perhaps especially in the middle of a pandemic – voters should be able to rely on the systems that select our elected officials."
Press Release
Clarkston, GA Votes to Join Lawsuit Challenging President Trump’s Order on Census Count
“Here in Clarkston we have people who come from diverse backgrounds and we already have enough challenges in getting everyone counted including language barriers – and we don't want another unconstitutional hindrance from counting every single resident of our City,” Clarkston Councilman Awet Eyasu said.
Press Release
Voting Rights Act Turns 55
Today’s anniversary comes during a time when our nation is, once again, grappling with its long history of treating people differently based on the color of their skin.
Press Release
Committee Urged to Reject Amendment, Pass SB 463
This amendment to SB 463 would be a step backward. It would eliminate an option that Georgia’ elections officials will likely need in the fall elections. Voters should not ever be forced to choose between their health and exercising their right to vote. In pandemic conditions, sending absentee ballot applications to voters is one of the best ways to ensure their ability to vote safely.
Press Release
Statement by Aunna Dennis, Executive Director, Common Cause Georgia
The obstacles that Georgia’s voters have faced in this election are simply unacceptable.
It’s also unacceptable that the officials entrusted with administering the elections have spent the day dodging blame, rather than accepting responsibility.
Georgia’s voters deserve better.
It’s also unacceptable that the officials entrusted with administering the elections have spent the day dodging blame, rather than accepting responsibility.
Georgia’s voters deserve better.
Press Release
Common Cause Georgia Urges Voters to Consider Absentee Voting in June Elections
Given the uncertainties surrounding the public health situation, we urge all Georgians to consider using absentee ballots to vote in the upcoming primary elections.
Absentee voting is a safe and secure way to participate in that most essential of American activities: helping to choose our government officials.
Absentee voting is a safe and secure way to participate in that most essential of American activities: helping to choose our government officials.
Press Release
Common Cause Georgia Urges Secretary Raffensperger to Disband “Absentee Ballot Task Force”
Secretary Raffensperger recently announced an “Absentee Ballot Task Force” with incredibly broad authority to investigate Georgians who choose to vote by mail. The situations that would trigger an investigation disproportionately affect voters from racial and ethnic minorities, younger voters, low-income voters and those who don’t have a traditional “residential” address.