A Georgia judge has dealt a blow to Republicans seeking to restrict voting options in the state. On Saturday, Judge Kevin Farmer dismissed a lawsuit filed by the GOP aimed at preventing voters from hand-delivering their mail-in ballots. The lawsuit specifically targeted Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold, after the county announced it would keep its offices open over the weekend for voters to drop off their ballots.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday night, argued that state law prohibited the acceptance of hand-delivered ballots after early voting ended on Friday. However, the judge rejected this argument, stating that state law allows for hand-delivery of ballots until the polls close on Tuesday night.
This decision comes as Georgia remains a crucial battleground state in the upcoming election. In 2020, President Joe Biden narrowly defeated former President Donald Trump in the state by less than 12,000 votes. Both Biden and Trump have actively campaigned in Georgia, highlighting its significance in the national political landscape.
The Republican lawsuit, which was supported by former President Trump, centered on allegations of voter fraud in Fulton County. These accusations have been widely disputed and dismissed by election officials. The judge’s decision to reject the lawsuit strengthens the accessibility of voting in Georgia, allowing voters to utilize various options for casting their ballots. It also highlights the ongoing scrutiny and legal battles surrounding voting procedures in the state, reflecting the heightened political stakes in the current election cycle.
