Georgia allowed its election system to grow "way too old and archaic" and now has a deep hole to dig out of to ensure that the constitutional right to vote is protected, U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg said Friday. Now Totenberg is in the difficult position of having to decide whether the
ATLANTA — Georgia allowed its election system to grow"way too old and archaic" and now has a deep hole to dig out of to ensure that the constitutional right to vote is protected, U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg said Friday.
But lawyers for Fulton County, the state's most populous county that includes most of Atlanta, and for state election officials argued that the state is in the process of implementing a new system, and it would be too costly, burdensome and chaotic to use an interim system for elections this fall and then switch to the new permanent system next year.
"We can't sacrifice people's right to vote just because Georgia has left this system in place for 20 years and it's so far behind," said lawyer Bruce Brown, who represents the Coalition for Good Governance and a group of voters. She recognized that the state had taken concrete steps since her warning last year, with lawmakers providing specifications for a new system, appropriating funds and beginning the procurement process. But she also said she wished the state had not let the situation become so dire and wondered what would happen if the state can't meet its aggressive schedule for implementing the new system.
Four county election officials, three of whom will oversee elections this fall, testified that it would be difficult to switch to hand-marked paper ballots in time for those elections. They cited difficulties getting enough new equipment, as well as challenges training poll workers and educating voters. They also said they'd have trouble paying for the switch unless the state helps.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips reacts to Motsi Mabuse joining showStrictly Come Dancing's former judge Arlene Phillips has opened up about Motsi joining the judging panel
Read more »
Judge tosses Kentucky teen's lawsuit over viral encounter with Native American manA federal judge has thrown out a Kentucky teen’s lawsuit accusing the Washington Post of falsely labeling him a racist after an encounter with a Native American man at the Lincoln Memorial.
Read more »
When They Judge Us, They Show Their Weakness — Not Ours“You do what you know is right. If the school faculty want to judge you, brush it off. They have no idea what you’re dealing with. If I took on every judgment of every passerby I wouldn’t be able to function. Then how could I do what I my son needs?”
Read more »
Judge Dismisses Covington Catholic Student's Lawsuit Against Washington PostWilliam O. Bertelsman ruled that there may have been 'erroneous' opinions published by the Post, but they are protected by the First Amendment.
Read more »
Judge dismisses Sandmann lawsuit against the Washington PostA very significant ruling in the media law world came Friday: A federal judge in Kentucky dismissed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the Washington Post.
Read more »