Georgia's Controversial Election Law: DOJ Drops Lawsuit, Sparking Nationwide Debate

2025-04-01 06:00:45.521

The U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has instructed the Justice Department to drop a lawsuit challenging Georgia's election overhaul law, SB 202. The lawsuit, filed in 2021 under the Biden administration, alleged that the law discriminated against Black voters. Bondi countered that the claims were "false" and that Georgians deserve secure elections. The law, passed by Republican lawmakers after Trump's 2020 election loss, tightened voting rules, leading to criticism and boycotts, including the relocation of the MLB All-Star Game. While Georgia officials celebrated the dismissal as a win, Fair Fight Action, a voting rights organization, condemned the decision, arguing the law made voting harder for many Georgians. SB 202 implemented stricter voter ID requirements for mail ballots, reduced the ballot request period, and limited drop box availability, particularly in Democratic-leaning areas with significant Black populations. It also banned food and water distribution to voters in line. While Bondi cited increased Black voter turnout after the law's passage, a Brennan Center analysis showed a slight decline in Black voter turnout compared to population growth. Other lawsuits challenging SB 202 are still pending.