Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on Thursday signed a sweeping elections bill into law, tightening voting rules in the state by limiting the use of ballot drop boxes and setting photo ID requirements for absentee voting, among other restrictions.
Just an hour earlier, the GOP-controlled state General Assembly gave final approval to the measure in a party-line vote.
The voting bill is among dozens being considered by state legislatures across the country after the 2020 presidential election, during which former President Trump spread claims that voter fraud and systemic irregularities had cost him reelection.
While there’s no evidence to support Trump’s claims, many Republican state lawmakers have proven eager to respond to the former president’s grievances and have sought to push through legislation that Democrats and voting rights advocates say amounts to widespread voter suppression and disenfranchisement.
