A federal judge will hear more evidence on whether to reopen voter registration in Georgia

A downed power line in Augusta.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., talks with people affected ted by Hurricane Helene before Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives, in Augusta, Ga., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

At least for now, a federal judge won’t order the state of Georgia to reopen voter registration for November’s elections.

U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross ruled after a Wednesday hearing that three voting rights groups haven’t yet done enough to prove that damage and disruptions from Hurricane Helene unfairly deprived people of the opportunity to register last week. Monday was Georgia’s registration deadline. Instead, Ross set another hearing for Thursday to consider more evidence and legal arguments.

State officials and the state Republican Party argue it would be a heavy burden on counties to order them to register additional voters as they prepare for early in-person voting to begin next Tuesday.