Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is expressing apprehension about the Georgia Republican Party’s ability to conduct a fair election.
During an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Reidout” with host Joy Reid, Abrams noted her concerns about the possibility of voter suppression for the general election. She also explained the significance of the Fair Fight 2020 initiative as a way to ensure the election is handled fairly.
Abrams said, “What’s happening in Georgia is happening around the country. Fair Fight 2020 exists because we know that the debacle we witnessed in Georgia sort of overshadows the fact that in Nevada the Republican Secretary of State shut down all but one precinct per county.”
The former Democratic lawmaker went on to raise concerns about voter suppression and how it could be used as a tool to impact the outcome of the general election just months away.
Abrams added, “We know around the country, there are going to be challenges in November. We need everyone to understand that voter suppression is real, it is thriving, and it is the political theory of the case that Republicans intend to use in this election.”
See Abram’s remarks below:
.@staceyabrams says she doesn't trust Republicans and Georgia Gov. Kemp to run a free and fair election in November.
— The ReidOut (@thereidout) July 28, 2020
"Voter suppression is real, it is thriving."
Watch more: https://t.co/hAAYuOCujU pic.twitter.com/3z3St0cev4
Abrams’ concerns about the upcoming election follow problems many Georgia voters faced during the primary election. An overwhelming number of Georgia citizens were faced with long lines at the polls among other issues mostly found at Democratic precincts.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s analysis, “Black voters bore the brunt of long lines and late closings in overcrowded, understaffed and poorly equipped polling places. Only 61% of majority Black precincts closed on time compared with 80% of mostly white precincts.”
On the state’s primary election day, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) also expressed her concerns via Twitter as she revealed voters had been standing in long lines at multiple poll locations throughout Fulton County.
“This seems to be happening throughout Atlanta and perhaps throughout the county,” Bottoms tweeted. “People have been in line since before 7:00 am this morning.”
This seems to be happening throughout Atlanta and perhaps throughout the county. People have been in line since before 7:00 am this morning. https://t.co/l28JvxhZxi
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) June 9, 2020
Some reports also suggest the Georgia primary could be a chilling foreboding of what could be expected for the upcoming general election in November.