Nonviolence and Georgia’s New Poll Watcher Law
“Give us the ballot, and we will place judges on the benches of the South who will do justly and love mercy, and we will place at the head of the southern states governors who will, who have felt not only the tang of the human, but the glow of the Divine.”
–Give Us the Ballot, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The landscape of American democracy continues to evolve and there are new developments in the state of Georgia that look to further protect the right of the voter. A new election law in the state of Georgia would give poll watchers greater access to voters and election workers. This law, while intended to enhance election integrity, has raised concerns about potential intimidation and the erosion of voters’ rights. In this context, the principles of Kingian nonviolence emerge as a vital strategy for safeguarding democracy.
Understanding the Poll Watchers Law
Georgia’s new poll watcher law allows a greater number of individuals to observe the electoral process, ostensibly to ensure transparency and prevent fraud. Yet, there is concern that this could further lead to the policing of already marginalized communities that have a history of voter’s suppression. Especially, in communities like Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cobb County and Clayton County that have some of the highest populations of African American and Latin American citizens in the state of Georgia.
Given this historical context, it is imperative for decision-makers to ensure that poll watchers represent a diverse array of political ideologies and accurately reflect the communities they serve. Historically, many citizens have felt marginalized or disenfranchised during the voting process. We must ensure this process is as seamless as possible for those who provide manual labor, older citizens, and first-time voters.
The Time for Kingian Nonviolence
It is especially important that we are creating an atmosphere of Kingian Nonviolence in Georgia during this election year. There have already been assassination attempts on the former President and instances of violent rhetoric directed at immigrants and political representatives, which only serves to worsen confusion and hate.
“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”-Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.
A core value within Kingian Nonviolence is to allow every individual to express their rights in a nonviolent manner, with voting being one of the most fundamental and inalienable rights within the democratic process. It is imperative that we continue to identify and eliminate obstacles that could impede this process for any citizen regardless of political affiliation.
A key step of nonviolence is education. Raising awareness about voting rights, and the implication of this new law, is crucial to ensure each voter fully understands the potential challenges they may face on their way to the polling booth and knows who to contact if they encounter any issues. This new law is designed to protect your right to a vote, but if you do run into any issues please reach out to the ACLU of Georgia at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
This is a significant moment in Georgia’s history, and it is our responsibility to ensure that this law benefits those who have previously been marginalized, rather than further suppressing their access to American democracy. We must prioritize strategy, collaboration, and communication to uphold every citizen’s right to vote.