Federal Court Sets Hearing on the ACLU of Georgia’s Challenge to the Absentee Ballot Signature-Matching Law
ATLANTA – Today, a federal court scheduled a hearing next Tuesday on the ACLU of Georgia’s challenge to the absentee ballot signature-matching law. This afternoon, the ACLU of Georgia, representing the Georgia Muslim Voter Project, had filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order that would provide due process to absentee voters whose ballots are rejected due to an alleged signature mismatch.
As the lawsuit explains, “[a] person’s signature … may vary for a variety of reasons, both intentional and unintentional. Unintentional factors include age, physical and mental condition, disability, medication, stress, accidents, and inherent differences in a person’s neuromuscular coordination and stance. Variants are more prevalent in people who are older, disabled, or who speak English as a second language.”
Specifically, the lawsuit asks the court to require elections officials to provide absentee voters the opportunity to confirm their identity or otherwise resolve the alleged discrepancy.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to argue this important case concerning the sacred, constitutional right to vote,” stated Sean J. Young, Legal Director of the ACLU of Georgia. “We look forward to a fair resolution that will protect voter rights for all Georgians, because voting is the cornerstone of our democracy.”
The hearing will take place on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at 1:00p.m. in the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in Courtroom 2107.
Click here to view this press release online.
Click here for the court order scheduling the hearing.
Click here for the ACLU of Georgia Motion for Temporary Restraining Order.
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