This is a press release.
The U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to dismiss its lawsuit challenging Georgia’s 2021 election law, marking the end of a three-year legal battle that became a flashpoint in national voting rights debates. The move comes after Georgia officials repeatedly pointed to strong voter turnout as evidence the law didn’t suppress participation.
Officials Claim Vindication
Georgia leaders celebrated the decision as validating their defense of Senate Bill 202 (SB 202), which introduced voter ID requirements and other election changes.
“Despite the lies and misinformation from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams and their allies, Georgia is one of the top states in the country for early voting,” Governor Brian Kemp said in a statement. “I am grateful that under the leadership of Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump, the DOJ has followed the truth: in Georgia, it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat!”
The Georgia Attorney General , whose office defended the law in court, accused the Biden administration of relying on flawed information. “The Biden administration used legally and factually false information provided by Stacey Abrams and her affiliated entities to file frivolous and costly lawsuits defaming the State of Georgia,” Carr said.
Turnout Figures Central to Debate
The DOJ’s 2021 lawsuit had claimed SB 202 would restrict voting access. But Georgia officials noted subsequent elections saw record participation:
- 5.29 million voters in 2024 (a state record)
- #2 national ranking for early voting in 2022
“Contrary to the Biden Administration’s false claims of suppression, Black voter turnout actually increased under SB 202,” said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in announcing the dismissal.
Unresolved Transparency Questions
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, while welcoming the lawsuit’s end, said unanswered questions remain about its origins.
“We call upon the DOJ to release these documents promptly, per court order, so we can better understand why this suit was brought in the first place,” Raffensperger said, referencing pending records requests about the DOJ’s communications with advocacy groups.
Economic Impacts
The legal battle carried real consequences:
- MLB moved its 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta
- Some estimates put economic losses at over $100 million
“This reaffirms that the Election Integrity Act stands on solid legal ground,” Raffensperger said. “Our commitment has always been to ensure fair and secure elections for every Georgian, despite losing an All-Star game and the left’s boycott of Georgia.”
