Next year, homeless voters in Georgia may have to travel miles to get election mail

A voter marks her ballot during the first day of early voting in Atlanta, Oct. 17, 2022. A large American flag is next to the ballot boxes.

This month, the newly passed Senate Bill 189 paved the way for voter challenges against those registered to non-residential addresses. Starting in January 2025, it also changes where homeless voters must receive election mail. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)

A new Georgia law changes where homeless voters can get their election mail, requiring them to visit their county’s main elections office.

The change, part of Senate Bill 189, starts next year but it’s already faced criticism from voting rights advocates who say it unfairly burdens unhoused voters.

Those who say they’re concerned about election fraud, however, argue the mailing address requirement for homeless people protects them from those who may try to steal their votes.