Judge declines to toss suits challenging Georgia’s new voting law

FILE – A poll worker talks to a voter before they vote on a paper ballot on Election Day in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. A federal judge, on Thursday, Dec. 9 2021, has rejected motions to dismiss eight lawsuits that challenge Georgia’s sweeping new election law.

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File

A federal judge has rejected motions to dismiss eight lawsuits challenging Georgia’s sweeping new election law.

Georgia’s law is one of many approved by Republican-led legislatures after former President Donald Trump and his allies pushed unfounded claims that widespread fraud cost him the 2020 election. Democrats, voting rights groups and other critics say it infringes on the rights of voters and will disproportionately disenfranchise people of color.

State officials reject that criticism, saying Georgia’s election laws are reasonable, don’t discriminate and are in line with election laws around the country.