The American Civil Liberties Union deployed about 500 observers in Georgia during the U.S. midterms to watch for conditions that could keep eligible voters from casting ballots, AFP reported.
Volunteers watched for intimidation and campaign activity near polling locations, tracked lines and checked that accessible entrances were clearly marked. Rachel Glover, who leads the ACLU's election observation program in Georgia, said about a dozen organizations joined the effort. The volunteer count was more than twice its 2024 presidential election level, when Donald Trump won, Glover said. She said observers focused on helping eligible, registered voters cast ballots.
Glover told AFP that the early-voting period passed without major disruptions. She also said observers had found no sign of immigration enforcement operations, a concern some people had raised.
At a public library polling location in Fulton County, first-time observer Linda Jones and two other volunteers watched activity and were ready to report any issues, AFP reported. Jones said she wanted to help people navigate a voting process she sees as increasingly complicated. She also said misinformation and discouraging actions can deter some groups from participating. Black residents make up the largest racial group in Georgia's most populous county.
Vote Safe volunteer Rosa Rivera-Ayala, a retired oncology nurse, was stationed near a polling place in DeKalb County, where most residents are Black and many citizens are naturalized. She told AFP that some people legally entitled to vote fear going out because they could be targeted. Rivera-Ayala said poll watchers' presence can reassure voters, adding, “Our presence makes a big difference.”
AFP also reported that the Trump administration has sought limits on mail voting and changes to voter registration rules. The Atlanta-based Carter Center, which has worked in Georgia since 2020 to address low trust in the electoral process, is focused on collecting and tabulating results for this election. Jonathan Stonestreet, who leads that work, said the aim is to help people have confidence in the results.
