Biden calls state efforts to restrict voting ‘sick’

Date:

Washington, March 26, (dpa/GNA) – US President Joe Biden has called efforts by several of the country’s states to make voting in elections more difficult “sick” and “pernicious.”


Biden said during a White House press conference that the initiatives are “Un-American” and that he would do everything in his power to prevent them coming into law.


Biden was speaking hours before the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, put a restrictive voting form into effect on Thursday evening after a vote by state lawmakers.


Biden, a Democrat, won the traditionally Republican state of Georgia in the November presidential election by a few thousand votes. There was a high voter turnout.


Some Republicans in former president Donald Trump’s circle made baseless claims of voter fraud, which courts rejected.

After the election and two Republican defeats in Senate run-offs several weeks later, local Republicans ramped up efforts to tighten up voting laws.


The new election law includes making postal voting more difficult and gives the state legislature more power to intervene while voting is under way.

It will also ban third parties from speaking to voters as they stand in line – and will prohibit offering food and water to waiting voters.

Critics argue that Republicans want to use the reform as a way to reduce the participation of black people and other minorities because they are more likely to vote for Democrats.


Republicans argue that it is about making voting more secure.

Kemp, a Republican, said on Twitter he is “proud” to sign the law, which he said would make Georgia’s elections “secure, fair and accessible.”


Other states are pursuing similar laws.

Biden said he wants to do everything in his power to put into force a reform recently agreed in the House of Representatives that would make voting easier.


However, Democrats would need Republican support in the Senate to enforce it at a federal level, which seems unlikely.

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

Eat healthy and warm foods to avoid cholera –Dr. Adomako-Boateng.

Ghanaians have been advised to eat healthy and warm...

Seychelles’ President in Ghana for 100 years anniversary of return of Asantehene Agyemang Prempeh from exile.

The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by First...

Election 2024: Don’t indulge in hate speech – Asantehene tells politicians.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged political...

Alan Kyerematen reveals his future plans for Ghanaian Health professionals.

Alan Kyerematen, leader and Presidential Candidate of the Afrafranto...

More like this
Related