Georgia’s DeKalb County announced that on a Sunday in late October-specifically, October 26–it will open an early voting location in The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall, a shopping center popular among African-Americans.
Fran Millar, the Republican Georgia senator and its senior deputy whip expressed a concern that such easy voting among a predominantly Democratic demographic–the site is also located near several African-American mega churches–will unfairly and adversely affect his chances of winning. On the other hand, the Democratic Party has applauded the genius of the move.
Millar and Republican Georgia representative Mike Jacobs have openly accused the entire Democratic party of being behind this underhanded stunt. In addition, they have said they object because the ideal should be for more educated voters rather than simply an increase in the number of voters. The two are now actively seeking to eliminate this election related travesty of justice.
They may have a long battle before them; other predominantly Democratic counties in Georgia are expected to follow suit. The counties closest to making such a decision: Clayton, Rockdale, Bibb, Douglas, Muscogee, and Richmond. If in January the Republican party does, in fact, take the state legislature, it is pretty much a guarantee that this particular practice will end anyway.