“And the impact was greater on black voters than white ones, the AJC found. Black voters were 20% more likely to miss elections because of long distances.”
Stunning piece by @markniesse on the impact of precinct closures in GA minority voter turnout. 1/
ajc.com/news/state--re…
Stunning piece by @markniesse on the impact of precinct closures in GA minority voter turnout. 1/
ajc.com/news/state--re…
2013’s Shelby Co. v. Holder SCOTUS decision struck down Sec4(b) of the Voting Rights Act, a formula determining which states w/a history of voting discrimination (including GA) required “pre-clearance” of state/local voting procedure changes to prevent harm to minority voters. 2/
The effects in Georgia have been chilling:
The @ajc reported that from 2012 to 2018 “county election officials shut down 8% of Georgia’s polling places and relocated nearly 40% of the state’s precincts.”
Most of these changes happened after the 2013 Shelby decision. 3/
The @ajc reported that from 2012 to 2018 “county election officials shut down 8% of Georgia’s polling places and relocated nearly 40% of the state’s precincts.”
Most of these changes happened after the 2013 Shelby decision. 3/
The @AJC found that before the Shelby ruling, “voters of all races were barely affected by their distance to the polls, accounting for a 0.2% and 0.4% reduction in turnout”.
That numbered quadrupled from 2012 to 2018. 4/
That numbered quadrupled from 2012 to 2018. 4/
These changes impacted minority voters in Georgia most.
“Black voters were 20% more likely to miss elections because of long distances.
“About 30% of black voters must now travel across half of their precinct to reach their poll compared to less than 20% of white voters.”5/
“Black voters were 20% more likely to miss elections because of long distances.
“About 30% of black voters must now travel across half of their precinct to reach their poll compared to less than 20% of white voters.”5/
In fact, the AJC analysis found that “Turnout by black voters would have been between 1.3% and 2.1% higher on Election Day in 2018 if they all lived near their polling places.” 6/ 
Shelby struck Sec. 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act — the formula used to determine the state & local jurisdictions subject to pre-clearance requirements. But Section 5, allowing federal oversight of covered jurisdictions, still stands.
It’s time to restore the Voting Rights Act.7/
It’s time to restore the Voting Rights Act.7/
Democratic leaders in the US House are working to restore minority voter protections. Now, we need a Democratic Senate that will take decisive action to strengthen voting rights & election security, so that all Americans have equal access to vote! 8/8 bit.ly/36vNNtr
