Hi, 

Last week, y’all sent in questions about voting rights — and today, as Deputy Organizing Director here at Fair Fight, I’m going to try to answer a few of them. So, let’s get into it:

First, there were a couple of questions about how to vote in this fall’s midterm elections. From voter registration to polling places, here are the resources you’ll need to vote this fall:

• To check your voter registration: If you’re in Georgia, check your registration at PeachVote.com. If not, head to vote.org and find your state. 
• To vote early and ensure your vote is counted: Find the early voting schedule for your state on this vote.org calendar. 
• To vote in-person: Search by your address on vote.org for your polling place and ballot details. 
• To help with the voting process and be a poll worker: Sign up at PowerThePolls.com.

Now onto questions about the fight for voting rights…

Joan asked for an explanation on Georgia’s policy of dropping voters from voting lists.

Georgia has a “use-it-or-lose-it” practice in which the Secretary of State purges voters from the voter rolls simply for not voting in recent elections. Last year, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger put nearly 102,000 Georgian voters on a list to be removed and gave them little time to take action to keep themselves on the rolls. Anytime these attempts to purge eligible voters happen, Fair Fight springs into action, but we strongly suggest that every Georgia voter checks their voter registration to make sure it is active and up to date. If you have questions or concerns about your registration, call your county elections office or the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at 888-730-5816. 

DeSean asked, “Is civics education being integrated into the mobilization of voters?”

Yes! We’re engaging in voter mobilization and education across Georgia and beyond. Our Civics for the Culture series is a great place to start!

Sheila asked about the state of voter suppression laws in Georgia.

In March 2021, Gov. Brian Kemp and extremists in the Georgia state legislature enacted omnibus voter suppression bill SB 202 into law. SB 202 is dangerous — it gives state-level officials the authority to take over the powers of county election boards (something they may use to disqualify certain voters); it criminalizes providing food or water to voters waiting in line; and its unnecessarily requires ID for absentee ballots and limits the placement of ballot drop boxes. These barriers make it harder for Georgians to vote but it won’t stop us from turning out for November’s elections! That’s why we need your help to share the resources in this email and to make sure that Georgians know what it will take to cast their vote and have it counted in this election. 

Margo asked how supporters like you can help improve absentee and early voting. 

A perfectly timed question! Fair Fight just launched its Gold Standards of Early Voting campaign. Chip in today and become a founding donor to help push for county elections offices to offer two days of Sunday voting and voting 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; to open all locations for the duration of early voting; and to increase the number of early voting locations, including high-capacity locations that are culturally relevant and accessible. If you live in Georgia and want to get involved in your county, sign up to join Fair Fight’s Democracy watch program.

Hopefully this answers some of your top questions. We will keep asking for and answering your questions as we get closer to this election. Keep your eye on your email, our social media and on our website for resources and information for voting this year.  As a reminder, if you’re in Georgia and have other questions about voting, you can always call the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at 888-730-5816.

Thanks for your questions,

Lila Zucker
Fair Fight