Georgia Ballot Application Restrictions Ruled Constitutional (1)

The state of Georgia defeated a constitutional challenge to restrictions on mailed absentee ballot applications from voter registration groups, which argued those limits violated their free speech rights.

The state showed the challenged provisions “directly advance” its interests in reducing voter confusion and enhancing the public’s confidence in elections, and that alternative approaches wouldn’t achieve those “compelling interests with comparable efficiency,” Judge J.P. Boulee of the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia saidMonday.

The Voter Participation Center and Center for Voter Information, nonprofits that aim to increase voter engagement, sent roughly 9.6 million absentee ballot ...