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Why are conservatives afraid of more voters?

Yesterday, the Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill that would carve out a new city, called Eagle’s Landing, from the existing city of Stockbridge, along racial lines.

The bill was amended slightly from the Senate’s version, so now it’s headed back to the Senate for another vote.

So far, it seems the vote has been split on party lines — it’s clear that Republicans in the state legislature are determined to carve out a new, very white city from a city where people of color make up nearly three-quarters of the population.

In the new city, the percent of white voting-age people would jump from 32 to 43 percent. Meanwhile, the number of black voting-age people would drop from 53 percent to 44 percent.

The people that would be affected by the change are speaking out about their outrage. Stockbridge officials and residents gathered outside the Capitol building and protested the bill during the vote yesterday.

Thursday, March 29 is the last day of the 2018 legislative session, which means the Senate now has to approve the amended version of the bill by the end of the session. Then, it would be sent to Gov. Deal’s desk.

Conservative politicians in Georgia have also tried to suppress voting by pushing a bill that would cut voting in Atlanta at 7 p.m., even though Atlanta polls usually close at 8 p.m.

This bill targets Fulton County, where the majority of residents are black. Already, this county has been repeatedly targeted for anti-voting rights measures and plagued by preventable voting issues.

The bill would also essentially restrict early voting to one Saturday before an election.

This measure is a direct attempt at suppressing black voter turnout — the Sunday before Election Day is often a high-turnout day for black voters because of Souls to the Polls events that encourage people to cast ballots early after attending church.

The question is, why are Republicans so afraid of voters, especially minority voters?

It’s nothing new — they’re just getting more creative with their voter suppression tactics.

Is it because motivated progressive voters flipped three previously uncontested Republican districts in the state legislature in 2017?

Is it because progressive voters had Republican candidate Karen Handel running scared as she faced off with political newcomer Jon Ossoff in one of the highest-profile special election runoffs?

Is it because Trump’s popularity has tanked among voters, showing conservatives that the tolerance for their backwards positions is crumbling?

The progressive wave that has taken hold of the country is in full swing, and Republicans know it.

That’s why they’re trying to suppress voters — but we’re keeping an eye on them and fighting back.

This November, all of Georgia’s executive officers — including governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state —  are up for election as well as all of Georgia’s 14 seats in the United States House of Representatives.

If you aren’t registered to vote, register today. If you aren’t sure, you can check your registration status.

Let’s show conservative politicians that Georgians will keep showing up at the polls and fighting back.

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