ACLU Comment on Federal Appeals Court Ruling in Georgia Voting Challenge

ATLANTA — A federal appeals court has rejected Georgia’s request to stay a temporary restraining order blocking election officials from throwing out absentee ballots or applications for a supposed signature mismatch without giving the voter an opportunity to contest the determination and confirm their identity.

The ruling stems from an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit against Secretary of State Brian Kemp and county registrars. A district judge granted the temporary restraining order last week, prompting the state’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Sophia Lakin, staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, had this reaction to today’s ruling:

“Once again, a court has blocked Georgia’s attempt to obstruct voters. This ruling is a huge victory as we round the final turn to the midterms.”

The ruling is at: https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/11th-circuit-stay-denial

More information is at: https://www.aclu.org/cases/georgia-muslim-voter-project-v-kemp