Election 2024: Georgia’s new election laws and critical House and Senate races
Writer: Eleana Teran
July 2024 — Georgia, with a population of close to 10.7 million and around 8 million registered voters, is heading into election season with a number of local, statewide and national races and issues that will set the stage for the future of the state. The ballot will include U.S. representatives, state Senate and House races, and local government officials, all while adjusting to recent changes to election laws in the Peach State.
Once a traditionally Republican state, Georgia’s shifting demographics has come into play with close races and increased competition between the major parties in recent years. The state boasts an active registered voter rate of 88.6% and a voter base that is 50.7% White, 30.1% Black, 4.5% Hispanic, and 3% Asian or Pacific Islander. Other/Unknown voters make up 11.0%, and American Indian or Alaskan Native voters constitute 0.8%. Georgia’s urban centers, particularly Atlanta, have seen significant growth, influencing the state’s political dynamics.
In Georgia’s open primary system, any registered voter can participate in any party’s primary, offering flexibility and encouraging broader voter engagement. This, combined with the evolving demographics, reflects how Georgia mirrors broader national political trends.
A federal judge has also approved Georgia’s newly revised political maps for Congress and the state legislature, a significant development following accusations of racial gerrymandering. These new maps, which add new majority-Black districts, were deemed to fully comply with court orders, according to U.S. District Judge Steve Jones. However, this has been seen by some analysts as a win for Republicans who sought to preserve their partisan advantage while meeting legal requirements.
The new congressional map maintains the partisan split with nine Republican-leaning and five Democratic-leaning districts. Significant changes include an additional majority-Black district in Western Atlanta, better reflecting the community interest in this area, but diluting District 7’s composition where Black, Asian American, and Latino voters previously comprised a majority. These adjustments could have a substantial impact on representation, making the 2024 U.S. House elections in Georgia a key moment for assessing the state’s political landscape.
Voters across the state will elect representatives for all 14 of its U.S. House districts, which holds significant weight as it will influence the balance of power in Congress. The primaries, held on May 21, 2024, and the subsequent runoff on June 18, 2024, set the stage for a highly competitive general election.
The state’s Senate elections are drawing considerable attention as both parties vie for control of this legislative body. The outcome of these elections will have profound implications for state policies on education, healthcare, and economic development. Key issues such as redistricting and local governance will also hinge on the results.
The Republican Party has key figures such as President Pro Tempore Sen. John F. Kennedy and State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick running for re-election. Kennedy, recognized for his conservative stance, has focused on classroom content regulations, implementing significant tax cuts, and investing in public safety and infrastructure. Kirkpatrick’s platform focuses on healthcare, emphasizes regulatory reform and support for medical professionals. She also advocates for veterans, education reforms, senior services, mental health support, and animal welfare.
On the Democratic side, State Senator Elena Parent is running for re-election. Parent champions progressive values, advocating for equality, reproductive rights, and gun safety reforms. She prioritizes fair elections, healthcare affordability, environmental protection, and educational innovation. Another notable Democratic candidate is State Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes, who has been vocal about environmental sustainability, healthcare reform, and protecting voting rights.
Local elections in major urban centers like Atlanta and counties such as DeKalb and Fulton will fill various positions, including city council members, district attorneys, sheriffs, and county commissioners. In Atlanta, city council elections include candidates Devin Barrington-Ward, Eshé Collins, Amber Connor, Nicole Jones, and Duvwon Robinson, all running as nonpartisans. Each candidate brings unique perspectives and priorities to the table, addressing critical issues such as housing, education, transportation, and economic development.
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Earlier this year, Gov. Brian Kemp signed new legislation that makes significant changes to the state’s election procedures ahead of the presidential contest. Senate Bill 189 defines probable causes for removing voters from the rolls when their eligibility is challenged, such as death, voting or registering in another jurisdiction, or using a nonresidential address. The inclusion of the National Change of Address list as a criterion has sparked controversy, with opponents arguing it could lead to baseless challenges and potential disenfranchisement. The bill also allows voter challenges up to 45 days before an election and requires homeless people to use the county voter registration office as their address, raising concerns about accessibility for these groups of voters.
These changes to Georgia’s election laws come as the state prepares for a highly competitive presidential election, since the state will most likely be critical in the outcome of the 2024 presidential race. Following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek re-election, Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to be the Democratic nominee. While Biden had been slipping in the polls, Harris shows promise against the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution released a poll shortly after Biden’s announcement, which showed Trump with a slight lead over Harris in Georgia, with the former president at 51% and the current vice president at 46%. The poll’s margin of error is 3.1 percentage points. Two percent of voters were undecided, 1% indicated they would vote for a third-party candidate, and another 1% said they would not vote for any presidential candidate.
Harris has focused her communications on supporting women’s reproductive rights, gun safety, voting rights, and environmental protections. Meanwhile, Trump’s emphasis on immigration and crime continues to resonate strongly with many Georgia voters, keeping the state highly competitive.
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