Georgia Elected Officials React to DOJ Lawsuit Against Peach State

The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday that it filed a lawsuit against the State of Georgia, the Georgia Secretary of State, and the Georgia State Election Board over recent voting procedures adopted by Georgia Senate Bill 202, which was signed into law in March 2021. The United States’ complaint challenges provisions of Senate Bill 202 under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Specifically, the United States’ complaint contends that several provisions of Senate Bill 202 were adopted with the purpose of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race. The Justice Department’s lawsuit alleges that the cumulative and discriminatory effect of these laws—particularly on Black voters—was known to lawmakers and that lawmakers adopted the law despite this.

“The right of all eligible citizens to vote is the central pillar of our democracy, the right from which all other rights ultimately flow,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This lawsuit is the first step of many we are taking to ensure that all eligible voters can cast a vote; that all lawful votes are counted; and that every voter has access to accurate information.”

But it was a mixed bag as to how Georgia officials reacted.

Elected officials from across the state had this to say after the U.S. Department of Justice announced a federal lawsuit in opposition to Georgia’s Election Integrity Act (S.B. 202):

Governor Brian Kemp:

“This lawsuit is born out of the lies and misinformation the Biden administration has pushed against Georgia’s Election Integrity Act from the start. Joe Biden, Stacey Abrams, and their allies tried to force an unconstitutional elections power grab through Congress – and failed. Now, they are weaponizing the U.S. Department of Justice to carry out their far-left agenda that undermines election integrity and empowers federal government overreach in our democracy. As Secretary of State, I fought the Obama Justice Department twice to protect the security of our elections – and won. I look forward to going three for three to ensure it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat in Georgia.”

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger

Attorney General Chris Carr

Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock

Congressman Buddy Carter – GA -1:

Congressman Drew Ferguson – GA -3:

“It is simply astonishing how far the Biden Administration will go to push a false narrative about Georgia’s Election Integrity Act,” Ferguson said. “After Senate Democrats failed to pass Biden’s radical – and unconstitutional – bill to federalize our elections, this is nothing but a brazen attempt by the Department of Justice to seize powers intentionally delegated to states and increase the federal government’s already outsized influence in our democracy. Georgia’s Election Integrity Act goes a long way toward achieving both voter access and voter integrity, and I will continue to fight against these “woke” misinformation campaigns that seek to undermine the authority of states to administer their own elections.”

Congressman Hank Johnson GA – 4:

:Congresswoman Nikema Williams – GA-5:

Congressman Austin Scott – GA-8:

Congressman Barry Loudermilk – GA-11:

Congressman Rick Allen – GA-12:

“Democrats are desperate to halt states’ constitutional changes to ensure integrity in their election systems. The announcement of this lawsuit comes just days after Senate Republicans blocked Democrats’ number one legislative priority, the For the People Act, from moving forward. This lawsuit is a political move by the Biden Administration on their quest to implement a federal takeover of our elections.

“It is unconscionable that Attorney General Garland is willing to weaponize the DOJ and ignore the will of states, Congress and the American people who overwhelmingly support voter ID.”

Congressman David Scott – GA-13:

State Senator Elena Parent

State Senator Bruce Thompson

State Rep. Wes Cantrell

State Rep. Donna McLeod

State Rep. Shea Roberts

State Rep. Renitta Shannon