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We all know the racist history behind the concept of voting but has anyone done a thread on the inherently racist origins of run-off elections, specifically in Georgia?
Alright so here we go, because this senate race is so important for not only Georgia but the country, let’s visit a brief history of voting in the 
state & how it has been repeatedly chopped & screwed to suppress the black electorate.
state & how it has been repeatedly chopped & screwed to suppress the black electorate.
Let’s begin by acknowledging that 7 southern states, including Georgia, decree that if a majority of votes (50%) are not reached, there must be a “run-off” election to determine the true will of the “majority”. This area has a very significant history, can you guess it?
You may say, hey RK! What’s the problem with wanting majority support for a candidate that represents the will of the people? Well, nothing, but throughout Georgia’s history it has been purposely used as a veneer to exclude minority populations, especially Black voters.
Georgia governors were elected by legislative assembly until 1824 when an amendment required them to be actually elected by the voters. Post civil war 40 years later, white southerners knew to preserve white supremacy, they would have to unite as a political collective.
So let’s take a snapshot of the time here, picture this, post “black codes” reconstruction Georgia, state requirements still limited black (men) voting through poll tax, record keeping & other devices to impede on the black electorate. But descendants & freedmen gained franchise.
It wasn’t until the gubernatorial election of 1906 Hoke Smith & Clark Howell, the then publishers of the Atlanta Journal & the Atlanta Constitution (
) competed for the democratic nomination. It’s important to note, democrats at this time were pro-segregation/anti-civil rights.
) competed for the democratic nomination. It’s important to note, democrats at this time were pro-segregation/anti-civil rights.
Both used their political & social influence (as well as their papers) to incite white voters to grief, fear & hysteria about losing their current social order by allowing black people to freely vote. They literally campaigned to disenfranchise black voters & encourage violence.
