By: Teddy Grant

Republican lawmakers in Georgia are moving forward in possibly passing an election bill on Monday that would repeal no-excuse absentee voting, a move that Georgia Democrats see as a backlash to the state voting Democrat in the 2020 presidential election.

According to CNN, SB 241 voters intending to use absentee ballots would have to be over 65, observe a religious holiday, or be someone who gives constant care for those with physical disabilities.

This proposed bill follows former President Donald Trump and Georgia Republicans’ false claims that voter fraud occurred in last year’s presidential race. Georgia voted for a Democrat, President Joe Biden, for the first time since 1992.

The bill would also tighten ID requirements to anyone wanting an absentee ballot. Voters will have to submit a copy of an authorized form of ID if they do not have a driver’s license or state ID.

Georgia’s senate president, Butch Miller, told CNN that the bill’s purpose is to give voters confidence in the state’s election system.

“I want every legal vote counted, timely and accurately, and I want better access for all voters. Even those of us who never claimed that the election was stolen recognize that the electorate has lost confidence in the legitimacy of the system. We must work to restore that,” he told CNN.

SB 241 would reverse a 2005 election law championed by Republicans that allowed no-excuse absentee voting, a move that Democrats blasted.

“They passed this law. They didn’t use it. The Democrats did. The GOP lost. And because of that, now, they want to change the laws back,” Democratic Caucus Chair, Sen. Gloria Butler told CNN.

The bill is expected to pass both the Senate and Georgia House of Representatives, both of which are led by the GOP, CNN reported.