Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has publicly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly spreading misinformation about the state's voter security laws. Raffensperger accused Harris of lying about the legislation, referring to it as 'Jim Crow 2.0' during a press conference.
Raffensperger's comments were in response to Harris' remarks made during a campaign speech in Michigan, where she claimed that Georgia had passed a law making it illegal to provide food and water to voters waiting in line. The Secretary of State refuted this claim, stating that there are no lines in Georgia and labeling it as 'cheap politics.'
Georgia officials introduced new voting laws following the intense scrutiny the state faced after the 2020 election. These laws included restrictions on ballot drop boxes, limitations on providing food and water to voters near polling places, and new ID requirements for absentee ballots.
While Democratic organizations and civil rights groups have criticized these measures as limiting voter access, Raffensperger and other Republicans have defended them. They point to the record-setting voter turnout in Georgia since early voting began on October 15 as evidence that the laws have not hindered voter participation.
As of Wednesday, over 45% of active Georgia voters have already cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Raffensperger emphasized the importance of accepting election results gracefully, drawing parallels to a recent baseball playoff game where his grandson displayed good sportsmanship in defeat.
He concluded by pledging to hold both political parties accountable to the voters of Georgia, emphasizing the value of sportsmanship and respect in the electoral process.
