The judge upholds Georgian law banning the distribution of food and water at elections

Photo by TAMI CHAPPELL/AFP via Getty Images

A judge this week declined to block an election law in Georgia that bans the serving of food and water to voters waiting in line for elections, the Associated Press reports.

The big picture: The new rule is part of SB 202, an electoral overhaul passed by Georgia lawmakers last year. Proponents argue that the reforms disproportionately burden voters of color and pro-democracy voters.

  • The Department of Justice, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Black Voters Matter Fund and GALEO are among eight plaintiffs challenging various parts of the electoral policy overhaul.

Why it matters: The new rule will remain in effect for November’s general election, which will be divided into two contests.

  • Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is seeking another term in a rematch against Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams, and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D) faces a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker.

Details: The state argued that the new ban would protect against electoral conditions that could raise concerns about potential illegal campaigning or vote-buying.

  • Suffrage groups argued that the ban violated their right to free speech.

But, but, but: Although U.S. District Judge JP Boulee sided with the state and said it was too close to the election to make changes, he said constituencies could ultimately win some of their challenge.

  • Changing the rules from the primaries to the general election could lead to confusion, he added.

What you say: “Although Georgia’s cruel ban on online relief is in effect for now, we look forward to bringing our broader case against SB 202 to court, where we will prove many provisions of the legislation violate federal statutes and the Constitution,” the ACLU of Georgia said Voting rights attorney Rahul Garabadu, per AP.

go deeper: Breakdown of all election lawsuits in Georgia