Georgia lawmakers back broad election changes, including one that could benefit third-party presidential contenders
CNN
Republican-backed election legislation would establish new rules for challenging voters’ eligibility and make it easier to qualify for the presidential ballot.
Republican-backed legislation headed to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk would establish new rules for challenging voters’ eligibility and make it easier to qualify for the presidential ballot – changes that could have consequences in this fall’s elections in a closely watched battleground state. Late last week – just before wrapping up their legislative session – state lawmakers approved a broad elections measure that would allow “any political party or political body” that has obtained ballot access in at least 20 states or territories to qualify for Georgia’s presidential ballot. That could benefit third-party or independent presidential candidates in a state that Joe Biden narrowly carried over Donald Trump in 2020. A super PAC backing independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in February that it had gathered enough signatures in Georgia for Kennedy to make the ballot. Kennedy’s campaign website, however, indicates that it still seeking signatures. A Kennedy campaign spokesperson did not respond to CNN’s request for comment Monday. Last week, Kennedy, who is seeking to make the ballot in all 50 states, named California tech lawyer Nicole Shanahan as his running mate. Philosopher Cornel West is also running for president as an independent. Kennedy’s candidacy, in particular, has raised alarms among some Democrats, who view him as a potential spoiler candidate who could help Trump topple Biden in November. Currently, independent or third-party candidates must collect at least 7,500 signatures from registered Georgia voters to qualify for the ballot in the state.
Hours after President Joe Biden touted its success during his commencement speech at West Point last Saturday, White House staffers learned that the temporary pier the military had just constructed into Gaza was falling apart. Four Army vessels had been beached, two in Gaza and two along the coast of Israel.