Georgia legislature approves election reforms, rules for challenging voter registration

The Georgia House and Senate this week approved changes to the state's requirements for making the presidential ballot and the rules for challenging a voter's registration.

Georgia's elections were the subject of intense scrutiny following the 2020 presidential election and were central to former President Donald Trump's claims that mass voter fraud influenced the outcome of the contest. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicted Trump over his challenges.

The legislation permits any party to appear on the state's ballot if it has already qualified to appear in 20 other states or territories, according to the Associated Press. It further outlines the criteria for determining "probable cause" for voter registration challenges.

The lower chamber on Thursday approved the measure 101-73 while the Senate previously did so 31-22. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has not yet signed the legislation.

Under the plan, "probable cause" for challenging a voter's eligibility would include death of the voter, the individual voting or registering to do so elsewhere, or their registration for a homestead exemption on property taxes somewhere else.

The measure drew opposition from state Democrats, who contended the effort would merely enable wrongful challenges to voter eligibility.

Kemp, for his part, does not appear to have indicated whether he plans to sign the measure as of press time.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.