Recently, Georgia passed an unbiased law protecting voter integrity. This law requires voter photo id. This will eliminate duplicate and out-of-state voters. Nonetheless, several big businesses are opposing this decision of the lawmakers, saying they are discriminating against blacks and minorities. These businesses are boycotting Georgia. Since Missouri is currently passing the same type of law through our legislature, it will be good to examine the evidence from Georgia and the companies that want to steal Missourian votes.
What Does The Law Say?
Georgia’s law requires that a voter present a photo id in order to vote. A number of photo ids may be used. Examples are driver’s license, passport, or military id, among others. The state of Georgia is willing to pay for a free voter photo id when necessary. One simply needs proof that he does indeed live in Georgia. Without proof of Georgia living legally, one may not vote. With a photo id, one may vote only one time. This way, a vote cannot be counted multiple times. One person’s vote does get counted one time.
Arguments
People like Stacy Adams say that this law makes it more difficult for Georgians to vote [1]. This does possibly make voting more difficult. But this is for everyone, not a certain group of persons as Adams is saying. Alongside that argument, illegal voting will become extremely difficult.
Who Is Boycotting?
Major League Baseball is attempting to punish Georgia for protecting voters’ rights by boycotting the all-star game and moving it out of state. Senator Rubio condemned MLB’s actions. He asked,
Since Major League Baseball now appears eager to use its ‘platform’ to demonstrate ‘unwavering support’ for fundamental human rights, will you cease your relationship with the Chinese Government, which at this very moment is committing genocide against the Uyghurs Muslims? [2]”
Coca-cola was one of the first Georgia-based companies to publicly condemn the voter id law. Company CEO James Quincy said that the law,
does not promote principles we have stood for in Georgia around broad access to voting [3].
On the other side, members of the Georgia House Republicans requested the removal of all Coca-Cola beverages from an office suite [4].
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, is criticizing the law. CEO Ed Bastian said the law was
built on a lie [5].
Hollywood is moving some motion pictures out of state. Three Atlanta professional sports teams released statements condemning the new law.
Missouri Next?
Meanwhile, here in Jefferson City, our legislators are working to guarantee a single vote counted for every eligible voter. Missouri’s House recently passed a voter id bill similar to Georgia’s on February 25. It requires a photo id for anyone voting. Dan Schulte made the comment about all of the false news of this law by saying,
I think you need an ID for just about anything, don’t you?
For some, to assume that persons of color are poorer and illiterate, unable to obtain a free ID, as though they do not already drive, is absurd. The next obvious question is: Will Missouri get boycotted? If so, how will the citizens of Missouri react? Time will tell.
Notes:
- ^https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/opinion/letters/2021/04/15/boycott-corporations-seek-punish-georgia-election-law-abrams-mlb/7221803002/ (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/4/rubio-asks-mlb-commissioner-if-he-ll-give-up-augusta-golf-membership (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/05/republican-lawmakers-boycott-chastise-major-companies-criticism-georgia-voting-law/7100372002/ (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/05/republican-lawmakers-boycott-chastise-major-companies-criticism-georgia-voting-law/7100372002/ (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/05/republican-lawmakers-boycott-chastise-major-companies-criticism-georgia-voting-law/7100372002/ (go back ↩)
