LOUISVILLE, Ga. — A group that encourages African-Americans to vote says about 40 black residents of a senior living centre in Georgia were told to get off a bus taking them to vote.
Officials with Jefferson County, which operates the Leisure Center, say the county considered Monday’s event “political activity,” which isn’t allowed during county-sponsored events.
READ MORE: Facebook to ban false info about voting, polling stations ahead of U.S. midterm elections
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday was the first day of in-person early voting in Georgia. Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp are running for governor.
Get breaking National news
LaTosha Brown, a co-founder of Black Voters Matter, says the centre director asked the senior residents to get off the bus. She said the ordeal was “an intimidation tactic.”
County Administrator Adam Brett said officials felt uncomfortable allowing senior centre patrons to leave in a bus with “an unknown third party.”
WATCH: What are the U.S. midterms, and why do they matter?
The incident was first reported by ThinkProgress, which said that someone had called the senior centre and complained about the bus.
The website also reported that there are no rules in Georgia that prohibit groups from transporting voters to polling stations. Brown said the seniors “actually requested” to have transportation.
— With files from Global News reporter Maham Abedi
- U.S. Election 2024: Questions arise over groups door-knocking for Donald Trump
- Harris pushes for second debate while Trump declines because early voting has started
- Hezbollah launches overnight rocket barrage in response to Israeli attacks
- FBI agents board vessel managed by company whose other cargo ship collapsed Baltimore bridge
Comments