GEORGIA – Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed new voting regulations ahead of the general election in November.
RELATED: Georgia lawmakers approve new election rules that could impact 2024 presidential contest
In 2020, Georgia was in the nation’s spotlight as former President Donald Trump made unproven claims the election was stolen.
Much of the Atlanta criminal case he’s dealing with surrounds that.
Despite that ever since the state’s GOP-dominated legislature has pushed for what they characterized as improving election security.
Among the changes of Senate Bill 189, it defines reasons for removing voters from the rolls when their eligibility is challenged.
They include death, evidence of voting or registering in another jurisdiction, any tax exemption that shows your primary residence is not in Georgia, and non-residential addresses.
One issue critics are citing is the use of the National Change of Address list, though a challenge using that information would need additional evidence.
The bill will allow people to challenge a voter’s status up to 45 days before the election.
Critics said it puts limits on unhoused people voting because they would have to use the voter registration office as their address instead of where they live. That could make it impossible to vote for some.
News4JAX asked Georgia voters for their opinions on the issue.
“I believe they’re making more out of it than what it has been. I believe it’s a political agenda to do that,” James, a Georgia voter said.
“I guess you gotta go through the hoops to get better. Because if they’re trying to make it better for us to be better, I guess you just have to go through it,” DeAndre Perkins said.
Another voter is against the bill.
“I think it’s a little ridiculous. Everybody’s looking for a sub-plot connection. Everybody’s looking for somebody to blame,” Jennifer Bilby said.
The bill also allows a third-party candidate who could benefit from this.
Starting in 2026, Georgia will no longer use bar codes or QR codes to count ballots because some voters don’t trust that process. The ballots must have what are called “human-readable” marks.