The Justice Department is suing the state of Georgia, claiming that its recent Election Integrity Act discriminates against Black Americans.
The controversial new law – passed by GOP lawmakers in March – limits the use of absentee ballots, prohibits the distribution of food and water to voters waiting at polling stations, and imbues the state legislature with power over elections.
“Our complaint alleges that recent changes to Georgia’s election laws were enacted with the purpose of denying or abridging the right of Black Georgians to vote on account of their race or color, in violation of Section Two of the Voting Rights Act,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland a briefing Friday.
The lawsuit is being overseen by Kristen Clarke, the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, who was confirmed last month with just one Republican vote.
More from The Washington Post:
The action is the first major voting rights case the Justice Department has filed under the Biden administration and comes as Republican-led state governments across the country have been seeking to impose broad new voting restrictions in the wake of President Biden’s victory over Donald Trump last November. Trump has spent months waging a baseless effort to discredit the result, making false and untrue allegations of widespread voter fraud.
