Georgia Republicans are threatening to take legal action against Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold, for extending the hours of absentee voting. The state GOP is accusing the county of violating Georgia law by keeping election offices open to accommodate voters who want to hand-return their absentee ballots over the weekend. They argue that all drop boxes should be closed after the advance voting period ends.
Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, is expected to play a crucial role in the Democrats’ chances of winning Georgia in the 2024 election. The Republicans claim that the locations of the four election offices set up by the county will favor Democratic candidates, adding to their concerns.
The dispute over extended absentee voting hours comes after a failed attempt by Republicans to compel the county to hire more GOP poll workers for Election Day. A judge declined to order emergency measures but said the case would be further examined.
During Georgia’s early voting period, more than 439,000 active voters in Fulton County cast their ballots either through absentee or early in-person voting. The data shows a higher turnout among women compared to men, and a significant number of White and Black voters participated in the process.
In the 2020 election, former President Trump lost Georgia to President Biden by a narrow margin. The ongoing tensions surrounding voting procedures in Fulton County reflect the broader political divide in the state.
As the legal battle continues, both parties are closely monitoring the situation in Fulton County, which could have implications for future elections in Georgia. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
