Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance criticized Vice President Kamala Harris during a rally in Georgia. Vance accused Harris of suggesting that voters who support conservative policies are bad people. He urged Harris to stop censoring citizens and instead try to persuade them. Vance specifically called out Harris for labeling people as racist for wanting their children to attend schools where English is spoken, for not wanting fentanyl in their communities, for wanting shorter hospital wait times, and for desiring a secure southern border.
Early voting numbers in Georgia have been record-breaking, with over 2.6 million people already casting their votes. This high turnout comes as a surprise to some, considering past claims of voter suppression in the state. Georgia’s election laws were overhauled in 2021 following allegations of widespread voter fraud in the previous presidential election. These changes included new restrictions on absentee and mail-in voting, expanded voter ID requirements, and prohibitions on non-poll workers providing refreshments to voters waiting in line.
Vance believes that Republicans in Georgia have embraced early voting more than in previous years, partly due to these election reforms. Governor Brian Kemp signed the new election rules into law in response to former President Trump’s claims of election fraud. The state’s efforts to increase election integrity have led to a higher voter turnout and a more secure voting process.
Overall, Vance’s criticisms of Harris and his observations on Georgia’s voting trends highlight the ongoing debate over election integrity and the role of government officials in shaping public opinion. As the election season progresses, these issues will continue to be at the forefront of political discourse, influencing voter behavior and shaping the future of American democracy.