Lawyers’ Committee Announces Victory in Boost to Registration Rates in Chatham County, Georgia Following Extension of Voter Registration Deadline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 2, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) and the Atlanta law firm of Bryan Cave LLP (Bryan Cave), acting as pro bono counsel, are pleased to announce the results stemming from the voter registration deadline extension in Chatham County, Georgia.  The Lawyers’ Committee successfully filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia seeking an extension of the voter registration deadline for residents of Chatham County, Georgia, following Hurricane Matthew.  As a result of the suit, the registration deadline was extended to October 18, 2016 and more than 1,418 were able to register to vote this election cycle.  Approximately 41 percent of new registrants are African American, 4.5 percent are Latino and 38.6 percent are white.

Between January 1, 2012, and the close of registration on October 9, 2012, 13,637 persons registered to vote in Chatham County.  The number of people added to the rolls represents 10.4 percent of all those who registered to vote in 2012.

“As a result of our successful extension of the voter registration deadline, more people are eligible to vote this election cycle in Chatham County, Georgia,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee.  “No resident should be penalized or denied the right to vote because of a hurricane or other natural disaster.  We encourage officials across the state of Georgia to take action that makes voting easier in our democracy.”

Voters across Georgia seeking information on voting are encouraged to contact the national, non-partisan Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE for help this election cycle.  Election Protection, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, was formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process.

About the Lawyers’ Committee
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Formed over 50 years ago, we continue our quest of “Moving America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and community development; employment; voting; education; and criminal justice.  For more information about the Lawyers’ Committee, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org. Please call the nationwide nonpartisan Election Protection hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), with any questions or problems voting.