Democrats in state Legislature pitch Georgia public ballot initiatives for popular policies blocked by Republicans

Georgia Legislature

February 20th, 2024

In January, Rep. Shea Roberts held a committee meeting on reproductive rights in a church near the state Capitol because she said she was not granted a room in the Capitol. Roberts is lead sponsor of a bill she says will allow voters to come up with their own laws if they feel they are not being represented properly. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

Every year, Georgia lawmakers come to Atlanta to make laws. But what if regular Georgians could directly participate in drafting legislation? That’s what some Democratic House members are asking with longshot legislation seeking to amend the state constitution and allow voters to directly weigh in on state laws during elections.

Speaking to reporters on a Zoom call late last week, Atlanta Democratic Rep. Shea Roberts said constituents began asking her about the idea around the time Kansas voters shot down a proposed amendment banning abortion. Ohio voters passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights late last year.

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll released last month found 44% of voters said abortion should be easier to obtain in Georgia, 18% said it should be harder to obtain, and 29% said the current restrictions should remain.