A Georgia district judge upheld a state election law that prohibits the distribution of food and water to voters while waiting in line on Thursday.
U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee rejected a request to overturn the law, stating that it was too close to the November election to change it, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
The law prohibits anyone — not just politicians, campaign volunteers, or political nonprofit groups — from giving out food and water to voters standing within 150 feet of a polling place and within 25 feet of voters standing in line, the Washington Post reported.
Voting organizations testified in court on July 18, stating that they had a free speech right to encourage voter participation by handing out food and water to “fatigued voters.”
Those in support of the law say the distribution of food and water could possibly influence a voter’s decision. Boulee said the voting rights groups that filed the request had failed to prove the law was unconstitutional.
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Boulee said in his Thursday decision that, while the 25-foot rule is potentially unconstitutional given the long lines at various Georgia polling places, it is still too close to the election to change it, as it could cause confusion for polling place workers.
However, Boulee said the law does not prohibit people from assisting the elderly in line or verbally encouraging them to stay in line. Polling places can also set up self-serve water that voters can use, Politifact reported.
