Voting Rights Reform/Equality Act

This week we will discuss two controversial topics running its course through U.S. Congress and Georgia State Legislature.

VOTING RIGHTS REFORM
For some, the 2020 election cycle raised questions of voter security and integrity due to changes in voting procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Georgia Senate bills and one Georgia House Bill have been introduced dealing with subjects such as absentee ballots and ballot drop boxes. Many Georgia Democrats, including Former Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, feel that the Republican effort is just simply sour grapes over a lost election. Abrams has stated the need for Federal election regulations to combat what she feels is an attempt to disenfranchise and suppress minority votes. In the U.S. House, House Bill HR1 seeks federal regulation over voting procedures such as same day registration and expanding mail-in voting.

EQUALITY ACT
Recently passing the House, the Equality Act, which amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity heads to the Senate. Proponents of the legislation contend it protects members of the LGBT community from discrimination in housing and employment as well as access to public accommodations. Opponents have raised concerns regarding the effect on religious institutions and women’s sports.