JANE THE RIPPER

Restrictive bills in Georgia, specifically Senate Bill 202, are suppressive to voters' rights and will greatly impact the 2022 gubernatorial election.

Every election day in the citizen’s right to vote. However, in Georgia, voting isn’t a right anymore. It’s a privilege. How can elections in the U.S, Georgia and United States, eligible Athens be considered fair when suppression is the citizens cast their new normal? ballots at in-person For Athens-Clarke County attorney Bertis Downs, polls or through early an Athens voter, the new changes in voting proceor absentee voting. dures is an attack on voter’s rights. Some may not vote at “(Examples of) election suppression (in Georall, but gia) would be the laws that limit any option voting on Sundays, voting early, is their right as citizens of the U.S. voting absentee (and) dropbox-

However, for voters in Georgia, es,” Downs said. “There used to this isn’t true. Georgians’ voting be dropboxes determined by the rights are being taken away. local elections officials based on

Following record-breaking voter the size of the county, the intenturnout in Georgia during the 2020 sity of the population and where presidential election, Senate Bill 202 was intro- it's dense and where you need more dropboxes. duced in the Georgia General Assembly. There had (Now,) we can only have one dropbox per county.” been multiple attempts to pass voting rights bills While SB202 was designed to silence voters, in early 2021, but Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suc- there are ways to fight back. cessfully signed SB202, also known as the Election Democracy is constantly changing. If a citizen is Integrity Act, into effect in March of 2021. opposed to a bill, they have the right to reach out

This controversial legislation introduced to elected officials, including those in the Georgia changes to how elections in Georgia are run. New General Assembly, to express their concerns. restrictions on in-person, early and absentee voting The voting process may change, but the constituwere put in place and will be extremely evident in tionally granted right to vote should never. Georgia Georgia’s gubernatorial election in November as voters need to fight for their rights and fight for voting results will be skewed. their voice.

“(Because of SB202) there are less times for voters to request an absentee ballot,” Athens-Clarke County Director of Elections and Voter Registration Charlotte Sosebee said. “It (decreased) the number of days that we can accept the applications, but also the number of days that someone can first (apply). In the past, that was (180) days, now it's only (77). (SB202) reduced the number of ballot drop boxes, BY JANIE RIPPS (too).” Viewpoints Editor How can elections in the U.S, Georgia and Athens be considered fair when suppression is the new normal? In addition to absentee ballots, restrictions on in-person voting were enforced. At polling locations, it is illegal for anyone who is not a poll worker to pass out food and water to voters in line for polls, regardless of how long those voting have been waiting. According to Census.gov, in-person voting made up 26% of votes in the 2020 Presidential Election. SB202 discourages voters at in-person polls and with obstacles on absentee ballots, voting is more complicated than it should be. The foundation of democracy was built around a O

Above: UNCONSTITUTIONAL OBSTACLES: A Ga. voter fights to cross various barriers preventing them from exercising their right to vote. In March of 2021, Senate Bill 202 was passed in Ga., changing various voting procedures in the state. “This oppressive legislation will be extremely obvious in Ga.’s gubernatorial election in November as it will skew the voting results,” Viewpoints Editor Janie Ripps said. Illustration by Antonio Starks

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Featured: TUNES OF THE TIMES: University of North Carolina English Professor and songwriter Florence Dore takes a break from playing the guitar to speak with students during a guest speaking engagement with the Clarke Central High School Advanced Placement Literature and Writer's Workshop classes in the CCHS Media Center on Sept. 30. Throughout her life, Dore has been fond of the link between rock n’ roll and literature. “I've always studied literature and I've always written songs (so) my philosophy about those songwriting exercises (in literature) is that it's important to delve right in,” Dore said. “(Music helps) perfect or really deepen your perceptions of the world. (It) heightens that antenna (to) start thinking about observing things that might seem mundane, and putting some meaning to them.” Photo by Aza Khan

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