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This is Ricardo ( @icaito), Political Director at @ComediansResist. We have been on the ground in Cobb County for the upcoming Georgia Runoffs and I want to share with you the shocking display of systemic voter suppression we have witnessed.
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4:15pm: In our ongoing efforts to distribute masks to low propensity voters, I looked up my nearest early voting location in Atlanta — an old office supply store — and when I arrived, the parking lot was eerily empty and I was greeted by this sign. The location had moved.
4:35: So I head out for the Vinings Church next. It was just a 2 mile drive, but I was lucky to have a car with me. The problems continued. The next location was closed too — padlock on the door and everything.
This time there were no signs with instructions of where to go. So I called the Georgia Voter Hotline, was put on hold, disconnected, called again, put on hold. After 30 minutes, they pointed me to the Smyrna Community Center (a 10 minute drive, but an hour if walking).
5:15pm: When I finally arrived, this new polling location was closed too. No early voting allowed. I spent an hour and a half on this ridiculous odyssey to simply find a location where a Georgia voter can exercise their right to cast a ballot early.
5:30pm: I was 0-for-3 so far, but I needed to try one last time. Went to the website listed on the sign and eventually found an open polling place 20 minutes away — of course, if by car.
5:50pm: When I finally found a place to early vote, the line was over an hour long.
5:50pm: When I finally found a place to early vote, the line was over an hour long.
6:55pm: I spent hours — in the car, in traffic, on foot, and waiting on the phone — following the instructions provided by the county. A voter still would have to wait another hour in line at a fourth location. ALL DURING A PANDEMIC!
This is what voter suppression looks like.
This is what voter suppression looks like.
Election workers are short-staffed, under-funded, and overworked. The entire system is deliberately complicated. People who work 2-3 jobs to put food on the table would have to take multiple hours out of their days just to cast a single vote. For many, that’s simply not possible.
This is what happens when politicians systematically dismantle voter protections, and engage in shady voter suppression.
It is saddening to witness, first-hand, this targeted, craven strategy to silence the voices of low propensity voters. We can not tolerate this abuse.
It is saddening to witness, first-hand, this targeted, craven strategy to silence the voices of low propensity voters. We can not tolerate this abuse.
We need to fight harder than ever to turn out voters and overcome this rigged system. Your donation today will help us do just that.
Please chip in today so we can mobilize double the amount of volunteers to overcome this voter suppression. https://TheComedyResistance.com/VoterSuppressionGA
Please chip in today so we can mobilize double the amount of volunteers to overcome this voter suppression. https://TheComedyResistance.com/VoterSuppressionGA
We can’t let these crooks deny millions of Georgians their right to vote. Please join us in fighting back — however you can — today. https://TheComedyResistance.com/VoterSuppressionGA
