
An assault on our democracy
On July 30th more than half million voters were erased from the rolls by Secretary of State Brian Kemp in the latest assault on our democracy.
Last week, GA Secretary of State Brian Kemp purged 591,500 voters from the state rolls—more evidence that he is determined to undermine voting rights for Georgians. Under Brian Kemp’s seven year tenure, thousands of Georgia voters have been inappropriately purged and burdened, prompting lawsuits from the ACLU, the New Georgia Project, and other voting rights advocates.
Not the first time this has happened
Voter purges are just one part of the modern GOP electoral strategy. In the wake of the 2013 Shelby v Holder decision, which crippled the Voting Rights Act, Republicans in Georgia have attempted to redraw legislative districts that favor GOP incumbents. During the last legislative session, for example, multiple gerrymandering laws were introduced with the intent not only to keep GOP incumbents in office, but to disproportionately undermine the franchise for people of color.
The people of Georgia deserve a free and fair democracy. That means accessible registration and voting and fairly drawn districts that guarantee a government that reflects the will of the people. We need your help to build a better democracy by calling and e-mailing our elected officials to tell them Georgia demands independently drawn district borders and policies that protect voting rights for all.
What you can do about voter purging
Are you as upset about this as we are? Write Gov. Deal and the Secretary of State’s Election Director, Chris Harvey, to let them know voter purges are unacceptable.
Contact state officials
- Elections Director Chris Harvey: charvey@sos.ga.gov
- To email Gov. Nathan Deal, visit: gov.georgia.gov
Contact your local state representatives
While you’ve got your email open, tell these Athens legislators they need to take action to protect the foundation of our democracy. Georgia must stand strong for voting rights!
- Congresswoman Regina Quick (House 117): regina.quick@house.ga.gov
- Congressman Spencer Frye (House 118): spencer.frye@house.ga.gov
- Congressman Chuck Williams (House 119): chuck.williams@house.ga.gov
- Senator Bill Cowsert (Senate 46): bill.cowsert@senate.ga.gov
- Senator Frank Ginn (Senate 47): frank.ginn@senate.ga.gov
Find out your state legislator here, or feel free to write all five legislators.
Here’s an email template you can use
Suggested email outline:
Dear ________________,
I am extremely concerned about the half million voters purged from the records on the weekend of July 29th by Secretary of State Brian Kemp. I’ve read that the process used to cut these voters was overzealous, unnecessary, and disproportionately affects people of color. I know Georgia can be an example of free and fair democracy, and that means independently drawn district borders and policies that protect voting rights for all.
If writing the Secretary of State’s Election Director, Chris Harvey:
I hope Secretary Kemp realizes Georgians will not stand for these kinds of attempts to suppress our right to vote.
If writing Governor Deal or your legislators:
Secretary Kemp and the state of Georgia have a long history of infringing on voter rights. I hope that _______________ will do [his/her] part in protecting the foundation of our American democracy and making it easier, not harder, for people to vote.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]


