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Abrams seeks to end unlimited donations to Georgia’s Kemp

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Abrams seeks to end unlimited donations to Georgia’s Kemp


Stacey Abrams, who based New Georgia Challenge, can be working as a Democrat for Georgia governor in 2022. (FOX 5)

Democrat Stacey Abrams’ marketing campaign requested a federal choose on Wednesday to close down limitless contributions to a committee managed by Republican incumbent Brian Kemp.

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The submitting is but extra litigation over the constitutionality of a 2021 Georgia regulation that enables sure prime elected officers and social gathering nominees to create “management committees” that may increase marketing campaign funds with out limits and coordinate spending with campaigns.

The choose earlier denied a request by Abrams to begin taking limitless quantities earlier than she clinches the Democratic nomination on Could 24.

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BRIAN KEMP CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY SIGNING

Gov. Brian Kemp at a public signing of a invoice permitting folks to hold handguns with no license in Georgia. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

Kemp narrowly beat Abrams in 2018, and they might match up once more if Kemp survives a Republican major problem from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others.

LOEFFLER, GREATER GEORGIA QUESTION FAIRNESS IN APS VOTER REGISTRATION EVENTS

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The regulation permits the governor and lieutenant governor, opposing main social gathering nominees, and each social gathering caucuses within the state Home and Senate to type management committees. Donors can provide as a lot as they need, whereas they’ll’t straight give candidates for statewide workplace greater than $7,600 for a major or basic election and $4,500 for a runoff election. Opponents say the regulation unconstitutionally favors incumbents over challengers, as a result of they’ll increase limitless sums for years forward of an election.

Abrams’ new transfer is hardly a shock. U.S. District Choose Mark Cohen instructed her legal professionals throughout an April 11 listening to that the correct path to problem the Georgia regulation was to go after Kemp’s Georgians First committee. Days later, Cohen rejected the marketing campaign’s request to permit Abrams to lift limitless cash by way of her One Georgia committee earlier than the Could 24 major, regardless that Abrams is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

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Cohen on Wednesday shortly agreed to incorporate Georgians First within the swimsuit, with Abrams saying Cohen ought to ban the Kemp committee “from soliciting or accepting contributions except and till Gov. Kemp is formally chosen because the Republican Celebration’s nominee for governor of Georgia, or alternatively, till plaintiffs are permitted to lift and spend marketing campaign funds by way of One Georgia on the identical phrases as Georgians First.”

A spokesperson for Kemp declined to remark.

Throughout the April 11 listening to, Abrams’ marketing campaign supervisor, Lauren Groh-Wargo, contributed $25 to Kemp’s committee on-line to show to Cohen that the group was nonetheless taking cash. That might now grow to be one of many final contributions till after Kemp turns into the nominee.

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Perdue already sued over the regulation, saying it was unfair that Kemp might increase and spend limitless sums within the Republican major whereas Perdue couldn’t. As a result of there are extra candidates, the Republicans won’t decide a nominee till after a June runoff.

Cohen dominated in February that Kemp couldn’t spend any more cash from the committee on his major marketing campaign. However he mentioned the committee might proceed to obtain contributions and spend cash in assist of different public officers in accordance with marketing campaign finance legal guidelines. Kemp has appealed the ruling.

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Throughout the April 11 listening to, Cohen mentioned it will have made extra sense if Abrams had sued to close down the incumbent’s means to lift cash.

“Why are you not asking me to close down Kemp’s management committee?” the choose requested, outlining the trail Abrams took Wednesday.

Regardless of a sworn assertion from Democratic Celebration of Georgia chair Nikema Williams that the social gathering already considers Abrams to be its standard-bearer, Cohen dominated that state regulation says she will be able to’t be the nominee till after Could 24.

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“This court docket is not going to rewrite Georgia regulation to allow One Georgia to face in the identical sneakers as a management committee that, in plaintiffs’ view, is working in violation of the First Modification,” Cohen wrote in his order. He mentioned Abrams’ request to be allowed to lift cash underneath a regulation that she contends is unconstitutional was an “untenable choice.”



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Georgia

Georgia Supreme Court halts Cobb County extension of absentee ballot deadline

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Georgia Supreme Court halts Cobb County extension of absentee ballot deadline


The Georgia Supreme Court has stayed the current deadline to accept absentee ballots, following delays attributed to an equipment failure and a surge in last-minute applications.

The Republican National Committee and the Georgia Republican Party filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse that decision through the state’s highest court. While the court has not ruled directly on whether the ballots would be accepted, it did say any late ballot cannot be counted and must be set aside until a further ruling.

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“All justices agreed with the order except Chief Justice Boggs and Justices Ellington and Colvin, who dissented, while Presiding Justice Peterson was disqualified from the case,” the ruling read.

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“The Cobb County Board of Elections is aware of and will comply with the Georgia Supreme Court’s order granting a stay,” said Board of Elections and Registration Chairwoman Tori Silas. “However, because the order only addressed to the motion for a stay, we will anticipate the Supreme Court’s final ruling to see whether it ultimately allow these voters additional time to return their ballots or whether we must only count those received by the close of polls on Tuesday.”

The Cobb County Elections Department announced that approximately 3,200 absentee ballot applications were processed late due to a spike in requests before last Friday’s deadline and technical problems. The department sends these ballots via next-day mail or delivery, including prepaid express return envelopes.

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Cobb County Superior Court Senior Judge Robert Flournoy approved an order on Thursday, supported by four members of the Board of Elections and Registration and proposed by attorneys representing three voters affected by the issue.

Under Judge Flournoy’s order, absentee ballots mailed after Oct. 30 will be counted if they are received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, and postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. The ruling is intended to protect the voting rights of those impacted by the delays.

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The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that any ballot received by 7 p.m. on Election Day can be counted, but any ballots received after the deadline through 5 p.m. on Nov. 8, must be kept separately and securely, but not destroyed, until further notice from the court. Those late ballots would not immediately be counted.

The Supreme Court’s order also directs affected voters to be informed of the deadline for returning their absentee ballots through email, text messages, and a public announcement on the Cobb County Board of Elections’ website. This order applies only to the specific group of “Affected Voters” identified in a trial court order from Nov. 1 and does not affect voters covered by federal laws for uniformed and overseas voters.

Cobb County election officials say voters who requested an absentee ballot but are concerned it will not arrive on time can still vote in person at their assigned precinct on Tuesday. To find their precinct, voters can visit the state’s My Voter Page.

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Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 9)

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Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 9)


Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 9)

Continuing a series that debuted last season, UGASports highlights the top NFL performances by former Georgia players for the week entering the Monday night game. With our most outstanding performer for the week—or the Top Dawg—revealed towards the end, we spotlight the top NFL performances by Bulldogs for October 31 through November 3 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game.

Ladd McConkey

A week after a 100-yard receiving performance, McConkey continued his sensational rookie campaign in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 27-10 win yesterday over the Cleveland Browns. Starting at wide receiver and seeing 48 of 57 offensive snaps, he totaled a team-high five receptions for 64 yards with a long of 20. Through eight games this season, McConkey leads the 5-3 Chargers with 35 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns.

Travon Walker

Although resulting in a 28-23 loss on the road at Philadelphia, Jacksonville’s Walker had one of the top single-game defensive performances in the last few weeks by a former Georgia player. The third-year defensive end totaled seven tackles (six solo), including two for loss, and returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown to pull the Jaguars to within a touchdown late in the third quarter. Breaking multiple tackles on his way to the end zone, Walker’s fumble return was a thing of beauty and was his first touchdown since he played at Upson-Lee High School.

Nakobe Dean

With Jacksonville trailing Philadelphia, 28-23, with 1:37 remaining, Dean went up high and made a tremendous, game-sealing interception of the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence. For Dean, it was the first interception of his NFL career—and his first pick since the one he returned for a 50-yard touchdown against Florida three years before in Jacksonville. Although he totaled only two tackles against the Jaguars (Dean entered averaging more than eight tackles per game), he defended on a game-high two opposing passes, including the game-clinching pick. Also for the Eagles, defensive tackle Jalen Carter totaled four tackles, defensive tackle Jordan Davis made two tackles, linebacker Nolan Smith had one stop, and cornerback Kelee Ringo had a tackle and fumble recovery on special teams.

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The TOP DAWG: Matthew Stafford

A week after having his highest-rated passing game in nearly two years, Stafford earned the Top Dawg recognition for his performance yesterday in the Los Angeles Rams’ 26-20 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. The 16-year veteran completed 25 of 44 passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Stafford’s second touchdown pass was a 39-yard dime dropped to Demarcus Robinson in overtime to win the game. It marked the former Georgia quarterback’s 46th career game-winning drive in the NFL, ranking sixth all-time in league history.

For some notable group efforts, linebacker Quay Walker had a game-high 12 tackles in Green Bay’s 24-14 loss to Detroit. Also contributing to the Packers defense was safety Javon Bullard (four tackles), cornerback Eric Stokes (three tackles), and tackle Devonte Wyatt (two tackles).

Although resulting in a 41-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a trio of former Georgia players stood out for the Las Vegas Raiders. Tight end Brock Bowers continued his historic rookie season with five receptions, including a 22-yard touchdown for the second score of his pro career. Also, running back Zamir White rushed for a touchdown for the game’s first score, and 12-year defensive tackle John Jenkins registered a half-sack.

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Kicking off at 8:15 pm ET, the lone Monday night game tonight pits the 4-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the 7-0 Kansas City Chiefs, where the home team is a 9-point favorite. The Bucs have one former Georgia player on their active roster: rookie Tykee Smith, a No. 2 safety. The Chiefs feature two: Malik Herring, a No. 2 defensive end, and Mecole Hardman, a No. 2 wide receiver (also first-team kickoff return and second-team punt return).



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Trump campaign files lawsuit challenging ‘illegal’ early ballot collection in Georgia

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Trump campaign files lawsuit challenging ‘illegal’ early ballot collection in Georgia


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – New lawsuits have been filed by the Trump campaign challenging Georgia’s election.

The 21-page lawsuit filed in Savannah argues county offices in the state were “illegally” open over the weekend.

The federal and state lawsuits are the latest move from Republicans contesting Georgia’s election procedures.

“The Republican national committee and team Trump, we filed ligation,” said Trump Campaign Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

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Leavitt addressed the filings at an event in Atlanta Saturday.

“We learned that in four counties including Fulton County Democrat election officials were – one trying to process ballots after the deadline last night and two – trying to open additional drop boxes that were not predetermined prior,” she said.

The Republican National Committee filed a similar lawsuit in Fulton County, where it was struck down by a judge. The judge said absentee ballots can be collected until polls close on election day.

Georgia judge rejects GOP lawsuit trying to block counties from accepting hand-returned mail ballots

County offices across the state were open Saturday and Sunday. However, the court restricted the option for drop boxes.

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Gabriel Sterling, Chief Operating Officer for the Georgia Secretary of State, responded claims on Twitter saying, “To be clear, no election laws were broken in Georgia today. The law clearly states that govt buildings can be used to receive absentee ballots. A judge said so this morning. Monitors, observers, & SOS investigators were all in Fulton locations. 104 ballots dropped off there.”

The Trump campaign says they continue to fight the re-opening of the centers at federal and state level.

“We want everyone in Georgia to remain diligent,” said Leavitt.

The Sectary of State’s Office is expected to address the pending lawsuits at a press conference set for Monday morning.

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