Georgians debate state’s progress on Voting Rights Act

Rep. Carl Rogers, R-Gainesville, said he believes the state and Gainesville are very different places than they were in the past.

“I don’t think that (at-large voting) is an issue,” Rogers said. “I think at-large voting has worked well as long as the member lives in the ward.”

The decision has upset civil rights groups which especially worry that changes on the local level might not get the same scrutiny as the actions of state legislatures.

Former Hall County Commissioner Ashley Bell said he found the Department of Justice staff helpful as the county went through the redistricting process after the 2010 census. He said Tuesday’s court ruling shows that discrimination can happen anywhere, not just the South. He said he hopes that it doesn’t become a political hot potato in the 2016 presidential race.

“I think there’s clear issues where we’ve had instances of localities having voting rights changes that don’t meet the smell test,” Bell said.

Macon-Bibb County recently had its election suspended because it tried to move a general election to July. Macon lawmakers have denied any racial motive.

“I think it’s clear there’s less minority voting participation in summer elections,” Bell said. “To arbitrarily move an election from November to July- that sort of move should be able to have some scrutiny.”

via Georgians debate state’s progress on Voting Rights Act.