Georgia is gearing up for one of the biggest voter registration removals in U.S. history. This summer, the state plans to cancel around 455,000 inactive voter registrations as part of a massive effort to clean up its voter list. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, these removals will primarily affect voters who haven’t participated in recent elections or have moved out of state.
The process is being carried out under Georgia’s “use it or lose it” law, which states that voter registrations can be canceled if a person fails to vote in two consecutive general elections.
While officials argue that this move ensures election integrity, voting rights activists worry that it may unfairly impact voters who still want to participate in future elections.
Why Are These Voter Registrations Being Canceled?
The decision to remove nearly half a million voter registrations is based on data from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). This system, which works across 24 states, helps track voters who have moved or changed their addresses. Here’s a breakdown of why these registrations are being canceled:
- 255,000 voters were flagged by ERIC as having moved out of Georgia and are no longer eligible to vote in the state.
- 100,000 voters have not voted in the last nine years and have not contacted election officials in over five years.
- Another 100,000 registrations were labeled as inactive after mail sent to these voters was returned as undeliverable.
Georgia election officials insist that maintaining a clean and updated voter list is essential. “We want to do everything we can within the law to have the cleanest voter list possible,” said State Elections Director Blake Evans.
Concerns Over Voter Rights and Accessibility
While state officials defend the decision, some voting rights activists are raising concerns. Helen Butler, executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, believes that removing inactive voters from the system could harm people who simply choose not to vote but still want to retain their registration.
“You shouldn’t be taken off the rolls just because you didn’t vote,” Butler said. “Many people are registered but choose not to go to the polls because they’re dissatisfied with the options. That’s their right.”
With this massive voter purge underway, Georgia residents who want to ensure their voter status remains active should check their registration and stay updated on election laws.
