NAACP Files Lawsuit to Halt Georgia Law Set to Purge Eligible Voters, Disenfranchisement Attempt Based on Housing Status

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2024

Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON – The NAACP and the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP alongside the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, ACLU of Georgia, and Dechert LLP filed a lawsuit to end  to certain provisions in S.B. 189, a new Georgia law that would permit baseless mass challenges to many eligible voters and create new barriers targeting unhoused and housing-insecure voters.

Janette McCarthy Wallace, General Counsel of the NAACP, shared the following statement:

"We recognize the desperate measures being taken to limit access to the ballot during this crucial election season. These efforts to disenfranchise voters are deeply rooted in racism and pose a significant threat to Black communities and other marginalized groups. Assertions that housing type — whether residential or nonresidential — should affect a voter's registration are unfounded and discriminatory. We will not tolerate these tactics that undermine our democratic process. Our National office is committed to empowering our local units and working hand-in-hand to ensure that the voices of eligible Georgians are amplified and every vote is counted."

Last month, the National NAACP issued an NRVA notice and sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate voter suppression tactics where individuals could cancel someone else's voter registration without their knowledge via Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's website. Georgia also provides no requirement that voters be notified when their eligibility has been challenged, which could lead to confusion on Election Day. 

"Senate Bill 189 is an outrageous attack on the Black vote and the fundamental right to participate in our democracy. This law not only targets our most vulnerable communities but also seeks to silence the voices that demand change,"said Attorney Gerald Griggs, President of the Georgia NAACP. "We call for accountability: every eligible Georgian must have the opportunity to vote without fear of intimidation or unnecessary barriers. The power of the Black vote is undeniable, and we will not stand by while it is threatened."

For more information on our election protection work, visit our website.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.