ATLANTA, Georgia – Democrats are advocating for “blue voters” to become Georgia residents for the upcoming runoff elections. Georgia doesn’t have a minimum residency requirement, which poses a legal loophole for both parties. Democrats could drum up enough voters to match general election turnouts and flip the state, and Republicans could ensure their hold on two Senate seats.
Additionally, the state’s voter I.D. laws allow individuals to use an out-of-state driver’s license to vote. However, the law defines residency as “without any present intuition of removing therefrom [the fixed habitation].”
“A person shall not be considered to have gained a residence in any county or municipality of this state into which such person has come for temporary purposes only without the intention of making such county or municipality such person’s permanent place of abode.”
On Friday, Democratic activist and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang told his 1.7 million followers to go to Georgia for the two runoff races.
“The best thing we could do for Joe [Biden] is to get him a Democratic Senate. There should be a coordination of resources. Everyone who campaigned for Joe should get ready to head to Georgia. I’ll go. It’s the only way to sideline Mitch and give Joe a unified government. There isn’t much time. The earliest date for absentee ballots to be mailed for the runoff is Nov. 18. The registration deadline is Dec. 7. The in-person early voting begins Dec. 14.”
The best thing we could do for Joe is to get him a Democratic Senate. There should be coordination of resources. Everyone who campaigned for Joe should get ready to head to Georgia. I’ll go. It’s the only way to sideline Mitch and give Joe a unified government.
— Andrew Yang🧢⬆️🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) November 6, 2020
The next day, Yang announced his move to Georgia would be specifically for the runoffs.
“Great news #yanggang – Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock win! This is our only chance to clear Mitch out of the way and help Joe and Kamala get things done in the next 4 years. More details to come but let’s go!!!”
Great news #yanggang – Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock win! This is our only chance to clear Mitch out of the way and help Joe and Kamala get things done in the next 4 years. More details to come but let’s go!!! 😀🇺🇸🚀 https://t.co/egcdwqC1qZ
— Andrew Yang🧢⬆️🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) November 8, 2020
Tamara Stevens, another Democratic activist who organized the Handmaids Coalition of Georgia, invited voters to become Georgia residents temporarily for the runoff elections.
“Hey all you Northern Democrats! You are all invited to spend the Winter in Georgia!!! Come on down and we will cook for you too!!! Y’allywood…start ramping up productions and get those West Coast Liberals here too!”
The process to challenge a voter’s residency is a costly hassle. Electors bear the burden to prove that a voter isn’t a permanent resident, and the board of registrars must first prove probable cause exists. On top of that, electors must present the individual’s tax records and mailing addresses.
Both Senate seats will appear in runoff elections. Georgia’s two Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, are defending their seats against Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Reverend Dr. Raphael Warnock.
Outcomes for the Senate majority favors Republicans currently.
Runoff elections are January 5th. Voters must be registered by December 7th, and may have three weeks of early voting.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Andrew Yang” by Andrew Yang, and “Handmaid’s Protest” and “Biden-Harris Sign Waving” by Tamara Stevens.
