I was going to let some of these amendments go but there were so many fantasies that were just created in the explanation of those amendments that have to be responded to. I think one of the more shameful episodes out of Election Day in 2020 were probably contrived efforts to create long lines around the country. I think specifically in Georgia it was in focus, where communities of color faced disproportionate barriers and long lines in order to exercise their right to vote. One of the efforts made by Republicans was to even prevent them from getting water or food while they waited and endured throughout the balance of the day to exercise their right to vote. I saw a lot of videos of voters who were resilient and still stayed in line because they knew how important that election was. This argument that somehow food and water is a luxury item while the same people want to create long lines to create a barrier for people to wait in those lines and exercise their right to vote makes your head spin.
In terms of the actual content of this amendment, where somehow there would be electioneering inside the poll or that somebody getting a bottle of water mere moments before voting is somehow going to sway your vote in the privacy of the voting booth is not only untrue, but it’s not even the current practice right now in our law which is strong enough already. Clerks do not allow electioneering in the polling location. The law does not allow electioneering inside the polling location. To use items like food and water for voters who may have to, disproportionately because of systemic problems, wait in line in their community and to prevent them from those items while waiting to vote and to use that as a weapon to say that somehow there’s going to be electioneering in the voting location is preposterous. I urge a “no” vote on this amendment.
Senator Johnson’s third statement is as follows:
I just want to clarify something. This bill has nothing to do with giving food or water or anything else in the voting precinct—nothing. I think that needs to be clarified. All it says is that I would not be able to go up to someone or my friend or someone working for me and say, This hot dog and water is from Ruth Johnson who’s running for Senate. There’s a very fine line between electioneering. You can right now if you want, it’s not considered electioneering, say, Call Joe and tell him to quit torturing puppies. That is not considered electioneering, but we all know it does make a difference. It does change things. There is a mistaken thought on this. It doesn’t stop it, it just stops someone from saying, This is from a candidate. That’s all. It doesn’t stop any of those particular things that were mentioned.
Senator Moss’ second statement is as follows:
I have great news for the sponsoring Senator of this amendment. The clerk will already not allow that activity to take place in the polling location.
Senator Singh moved to reconsider the vote by which the following bill was passed:
Senate Bill No. 401, entitled
A bill to create a state voting rights act; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to provide for a court-appointed monitor under certain circumstances; to prohibit certain discriminatory activity and to prescribe civil sanctions; to create a fund; to provide remedies; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: