GCPA Statement on David Ralston's Opposition to Mailing Absentee Ballot Applications to All Georgia Voters Amid Public Health Crisis

ATLANTA - April 6, 2020 - PRLog -- Helen Butler, executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples' Agenda issued the following statement in response to Georgia Speaker of the House, David Ralston's, Opposition to all Georgia voters receiving absentee ballot applications due to the public health crisis:

"The Georgia Coalition for the Peoples' Agenda is shocked and appalled that Georgia Speaker of the House, David Ralston, would oppose the mailing of absentee ballot applications to every Georgia voter in response to the Pandemic just because it would drive up voter turnout. Speaker Ralston thinks that enabling all voters to cast a ballot will be extremely devastating for Republicans in Georgia.

"America is a democratic nation which means the people decide who they want to represent them in public office. The reason that civil rights groups work diligently to engage every eligible voter is not to support a person or party, it's to strive toward a more perfect union  so we can all benefit from the promise of America. Voting is an important conduit to America's promise of equality and justice for all.

"The Speaker should know that Georgia adopted vote-by-mail decades ago and hasn't reported any major problems with voter fraud as a result of the process.  Georgia voters are not required to provide an excuse to vote by mail so we can't understand why the Speaker would have a problem with Secretary  of State Raffensperfer sending absentee ballot request forms to every voter so people can vote without leaving their homes during this dangerous health crisis.

"The Georgia Coalition For the Peoples' Agenda  challenges  every elected official in Georgia and across the country to recognize that an inclusive electorate enhances our democracy and  benefits all Americans. Elected officials and those running for office should concentrate on reaching out and appealing to the diverse communities across America rather than focus on tactics that will suppress voter participation.

"Our founder,  Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, stayed on the front lines of the fight for civil rights, women's rights, voting rights, environmental justice, and justice for all people.  Dr. Lowery often said, "voting is a sacred right and moral obligation.' As he is laid to rest, we honor his legacy by continuing to register, educate and mobilize voters, protecting the right to vote and ensuring access to the ballot."

ABOUT GCPA
Based in Atlanta, the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples' Agenda  is active throughout the state of Georgia, and works to support and establish state coalitions in the Southeast states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. http://www.gcpagenda.org/