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bigtree

(85,996 posts)
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 10:07 AM Aug 2018

Majority black Georgia county decides not to close 7 of 9 polling places after public outcry

Ari Berman @AriBerman
Big victory for voting rights: majority black Georgia county decides not to close 7 of 9 polling places after public outcry



Victor Blackwell CNN @VictorBlackwell
Statement from Randolph County supporting its decision not to close 75% of the county’s polling places during the November election.

twitter.com/VictorBlackwell/status/1032964647048175616








6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Majority black Georgia county decides not to close 7 of 9 polling places after public outcry (Original Post) bigtree Aug 2018 OP
Great News! NickPeace Aug 2018 #1
Now watch right wingers show up at each polling place in wheelchairs Lee-Lee Aug 2018 #2
Or check the internet to see comments like that bc they otherwise would Crutchez_CuiBono Aug 2018 #3
no question bigtree Aug 2018 #5
Awesome leftynyc Aug 2018 #4
When I first heard this story, I figured it was one of those predominantly Black southern counties Hoyt Aug 2018 #6
 

Lee-Lee

(6,324 posts)
2. Now watch right wingers show up at each polling place in wheelchairs
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 10:12 AM
Aug 2018

And file bogus ADA claims against them.

Crutchez_CuiBono

(7,725 posts)
3. Or check the internet to see comments like that bc they otherwise would
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 10:18 AM
Aug 2018

be too stupid to know what to do to thwart it. Which is a good reason to not say stuff like that Lee. Thats just me though.

bigtree

(85,996 posts)
5. no question
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 10:30 AM
Aug 2018

...no time to let down our guard.

We need our own volunteers and watchers at the polls.

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
4. Awesome
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 10:22 AM
Aug 2018

That story was really getting under my skin. Our polling place was MOVED for this very reason but it was moved to around a 1/4 mile from the original spot (train station to fire station). It was such a blatant attempt to drive down the number of black voters, anyone who even considered it should be tossed from office.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
6. When I first heard this story, I figured it was one of those predominantly Black southern counties
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 11:55 AM
Aug 2018

that were run by a bunch of hick white wingers bent on maintaining control.

Apparently, that is not the case. The county has typically voted for Democrats, apparently the county Commissioners are predominantly Democrats, etc. From what I can tell, the Board of Elections are volunteers and there are only three members (but only 2 at the moment), so possibly it could lean toward old time white wingers. The consultant could have been a white winger.

The truth is that in a state like Georgia, we are fortunate to have a fairly liberal voting system. Anyone can vote by mail, register and check registration on-line. There is early voting at select polling places up to several weeks before the election, in addition to November 6th.

Point is, I'm not sure this thing is as nefarious as I first thought. The County really is poor and might well have been looking for a way to cut costs. But I'm glad they decided to postpone any closing at this time.

In a state like Georgia -- where there are so many ways to vote, and Democratic organizations help people who need voting assistance -- there really is not excuse not to vote.

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