Thread by @saletan

Based on this @stphnfwlr analysis of the GA elections law, here's my list of which parts are good, bad, fine, or overhyped, based on my biases that 1) easier voting is good, 2) partisan control is bad, and 3) ID is a reasonable and manageable concern... /1 bit.ly/31Lkbbs

Bad stuff:
- shorter window to request absentee ballot
- later mailing of absentee ballots
- limiting drop boxes (The stated concern is security, but this is already addressed by moving them inside voting sites)
- shorter runoffs, which could limit the window for early voting /2

Good stuff:
- requires at least one drop box per county
- expands days/hours available for early in-person voting
- requires polls with long waits to add staff or another precinct (for next election)
- online option for ballot applications (already begun, but now formalized) /3

Overhyped:
- Only poll workers can give water to voters in line, and nobody can do it within 150 feet of polling place. The idea is to limit influence. Excessive IMO, but there are loopholes: poll workers, 150 feet, and "third-party groups [can] have food and water available." /4

Also overhyped:
- Election board now chaired by legislative appointee instead of secretary of state. Status quo was arguably worse: SOS is an elected officer (currently GOP). Also, the appointee can't have participated in a party organization or donated recently to a campaign. /5

Debatable:
- Government can no longer send unsolicited absentee ballot applications. IMO, the stated concern, risk of fraud, is solved by voter ID.
- Drop boxes now accessible only during early voting hours. I think this is just because they now have to be inside voting sites. /6

TBD:
- "Requesting and returning a ballot" will require a "driver's license number, state ID number or ... a copy of acceptable voter ID." I view this as sensible standardization, an upgrade from signature matching. But for equity, the state has to facilitate ID acquisition. /END