MLB Move: Colorado Voting Laws Less Restrictive Than Georgia’s
The Claim
Major League Baseball’s (MLB) choice to move to Colorado is thoughtless, as their voting laws are even more restrictive than Georgia’s.
News posted on
Emerging story
On Friday, April 2, Major League Baseball commissioner Robert Manfred made an announcement that the league’s All-Star Game would not be held in Atlanta, Georgia. The move was precipitated by Georgia’s new voting laws, which some are calling racist and discriminatory. “Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” Manfred said. “I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft.” While several companies are vocally opposing the new laws, the MLB is the first to move activities that will take money out of the state.
Following the news, it was revealed that the game would be moved to a venue in Colorado. In response, Fox News began reporting that Colorado has “similar” voting laws to Georgia’s controversial new laws. Social media users soon weighed in, calling Colorado’s laws even “more stringent” than Georgia’s.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation revealed claims that Colorado has more restrictive voting laws to be false. In response to these claims, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki responded, “Colorado allows you to register on Election Day. Colorado has voting by mail...94% of people in Colorado voted by mail in the 2020 election… they also allow for a range of materials to provide” for identification purposes.
Brian Kemp, Georgia’s governor, stated on Fox News that, “Georgia has 17 days of in-person early voting… Colorado has 15… they also have a photo ID requirement. So it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.” While Colorado does have fewer in-person voting days, the reason is that it’s a vote-by-mail state. Colorado’s own Secretary of State reported that 99% of ballots were returned by mail or ballot drop box in primary elections earlier in 2020. This accounts for the two fewer days of in-person voting, as it is just not necessary in Colorado.
Kemp also noted Colorado has “a photo ID requirement,” which is vaguely untrue. While Georgia prefers a number from a driver’s license or an equivalent state issued identification, voters can also use absentee ballots but they must attach an image of photo ID. Colorado will also accept utility bills for confirmation of identification and a wide array of other, non-government issued ids. The main difference between the two states is in how often the identification must be provided. In Colorado, only the first time a person votes by mail, after their initial registration, must they provide identification. In Georgia, identification must be provided every time a voter requests an absentee ballot. Also, in Colorado ballots are sent out to every registered voter before the election whereas in Georgia they must be requested.
Colorado also allows for anyone to give out food at water to voters in line, unless they’re wearing campaign gear, or promoting any party, issue, or candidate.
