ATLANTA – In a digital advertisement released today, Fair Fight Action detailed the economic risks of Georgia Republicans’ massive power grab. Specifically, the ad explains Georgia Republican state lawmakers’ attempt to seize control of elections. Under Senate Bill 202, the partisan legislature would control the state election board, giving it the power to replace any member of a county board, or an entire board, that doesn’t bow to their wishes. As the advertisement explains, had this legislation been law in 2020, it could have allowed a partisan legislature to overturn the will of the people in accordance with insurrectionists who attacked the U.S. Capitol. Activists have called on Georgia businesses including the state’s 18 Fortune 500 companies to speak out against the partisan voter suppression bills like Senate Bill 202.
“Georgia Republicans’ Jim Crow 2.0 voter suppression bills are not just an anti-democratic attack on voting rights — they’re an enormous threat to Georgia’s business climate and our economic growth,” said Fair Fight Action CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo. “These bills would restrict Georgians’ access to the ballot box to appease conspiracy theorists and insurrectionists while facilitating a massive power grab that would put partisan politicians in full control of our elections. If we want to protect our state and ensure that Georgia keeps moving forward, it’s time for leaders across our state, Republican and Democratic members alike, business and civic leaders, who all care about our democracy to speak out against legislation that would threaten Georgians’ voting rights, take away local control of elections, and harm our economy.”
The ad, “New Georgia,” can be viewed here.
A script of the ad follows:
From thriving cities to rural landscapes.
Bustling tourism, top-grossing films and Fortune 500 companies.
This is the new Georgia, and this new Georgia was the heart and soul of the country in the last election.
Georgians turned out in historic numbers — and the will of the people was clear.
But some tried to silence Georgians and overturn the election.
And — under legislation Georgia Republicans have proposed — they could have had their way.
The same party that inspired the insurrection at our nation’s Capitol.
The very same party that spread conspiracies about our elections.
They are desperate to seize power — and they have plans to do it.
Pushing fifty two bills that make it harder to vote, especially for communities of color and even for voters in their own party.
And now, in an all out assault on democracy they want total control of Georgia’s elections.
If their legislation becomes law, a partisan legislature will control the state election board, meaning they can throw out any member of a county board who doesn’t bow to their wishes. Heck, they could throw out the entire board.
And the Secretary of State would have no power to stop them.
This bill erases democratically elected officials, stripping voters of representation and allowing a partisan legislature to overturn future elections.
Had this been law in 2020, they could have overturned the will of the voters.
It’s a partisan power grab unseen in modern times. Georgia’s business climate thrives on fair elections. But under this plan, everyone in Georgia will lose.
These laws are terrible for GA’s economy
We could face boycotts.
Loss of jobs.
A film industry exit.
Tech companies won’t move here.
Plummeting tourism and an end to the NEW Georgia.
Don’t let them take Georgia backwards. Don’t let them mess with our election laws.
###