Georgia’s state legislature has more than 80 proposed bills offering elections this year, and Republicans in many states are urging to tighten voting restrictions. Duncan pointed out that some of Georgia’s election bills were written by Democrats, or that they were duplicate efforts – ‘There are some good ideas put in place by Democrats and Republicans,’ he said – but do not agree with the proposed amendments, including an end to no apology without absence.
Former Georgia House minority leader Stacey Abrams called Sunday’s “racist” efforts to tighten voting rights.
“It’s a redux of Jim Crow in a suit and tie,” Abrams said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” She added: “There is a direct correlation between the use of subjects, the use of early voting, especially on Sundays, and the use of votes by post, and a direct increase in the number of people with color voting.”
Host Chuck Todd pointed out to Duncan that the efforts of state lawmakers to curb the vote over the weekend seem to many people an attempt to target African-American voters.
“I’m very sensitive to that,” Duncan said. “And I’m one of the Republicans who wants more people to vote. I think our ideas help people.”
Duncan acknowledged that his view on keeping the vote accessible was a minority view in his party, saying the misinformation surrounding the November election was hurting Republicans’ credibility. But Duncan said he was in a “lock” with Georgia government Brian Kemp because he did not apologize for absent votes.
“I hope more people vote in Georgia’s next election than this previous one,” Duncan said.