In a defeat for MAGA election crusaders, Georgia's Republican-controlled State Board of Elections voted down a measure that would have limited the use of absentee voting.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the board considered an effort from Republican member Janice Johnston to limit no-excuse absentee voting, which became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporters of Donald Trump credit his 2020 loss in Georgia to absentee voting.
However, on Tuesday a majority of the Board of Elections voted to uphold no-excuse absentee voting. Two Republicans and one Democrat voted down the measure to limit the practice, while two Republicans voted for the effort.
"For me, it comes down to the will of the people, and the will of the people has been voted on by the General Assembly," Chairman John Fervier said.
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Fervier was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who himself voted absentee in 2020 after being exposed to COVID-19.
Though election fraud is rare, Johnston cited security as a reason to curb absentee voting.
"Absentee-by-mail voting cannot and does not protect ballot secrecy, voter privacy or freedom from interference with the voting process," Johnston opined. "The idea of no-excuse absentee-by-mail voting seems easy and convenient but … the reality is that absentee-by-mail voting creates doubt."
