Fair Fight’s Allegations Meet the Courtroom
In a significant legal confrontation, Fair Fight, helmed by Stacey Abrams, accused True the Vote (TTV) of voter intimidation, a charge stemming from TTV’s actions during the 2020 election. Despite the Department of Justice’s backing, an Obama-appointed federal judge dismissed the allegations, delivering a verdict in favor of election integrity efforts.
True the Vote’s Vigilance: Scrutiny on Voter Eligibility
Amidst the high-stakes Senate runoffs, TTV’s commitment to election integrity brought 364,000 Georgia voters’ eligibility into question. “TTV had a hand in ultimately challenging 250,783 supposed Georgia voters across 65 counties,” a trial expert for Fair Fight remarked, highlighting the scale of TTV’s initiative.
Plaintiff Scott Berson shared his disheartening discovery upon returning to Muscogee County: his voting rights were under scrutiny. “It was a very discouraging and frustrating thing to hear,” Berson conveyed, echoing the sentiments of many questioned voters.
The Biden DOJ’s attempt to support Fair Fight by critiquing TTV’s defense was not enough to tilt the scales. The judge ruled unequivocally, “no action taken by the Defendants in this case constitute voter intimidation.”
Today’s landmark federal court ruling was a win for America. To everyone who stood with us during this multi-year legal battle – thank you.
If our elections aren’t fair, we aren’t free.
Never stop fighting the good fight.
Ever onward – CE https://t.co/XdGDhZfKuG pic.twitter.com/ULufDKqys9
— True the Vote (@TrueTheVote) January 2, 2024
Judicial Clarity: The Disconnect in Fair Fight’s Claims
Judge Steve Jones elaborated on the disconnect, citing a “significant causation issue for Plaintiffs case.” His verdict dismantled the core of Fair Fight’s argument, asserting, “There is no evidence that Defendants’ actions caused (or attempted to cause) any voter to be intimidated, coerced, or threatened in voting.”
Responses to the Ruling
Following the ruling, Fair Fight’s Cianti Stewart-Reid stated, “We believe True the Vote used Donald Trump’s Big Lie as the basis to launch eligibility challenges against more than 364,000 Georgians ahead of the runoff—many of whom were Black, brown, and first-time voters.” Meanwhile, TTV’s Catherine Engelbrecht responded, “Today’s ruling sends a clear message to those who would attempt to control the course of our nation through lawfare and intimidation.”
“We believe True the Vote used Donald Trump’s Big Lie as the basis to launch eligibility challenges against more than 364,000 Georgians ahead of the runoff—many of whom were Black, brown, and first-time voters.” Cianti Stewart-Reid stated.
A History of Legal Friction
This isn’t the first courtroom disappointment for Fair Fight, as Judge Jones had previously rejected their complaint regarding the management of the 2018 election. TTV’s victory reaffirms the role of citizen oversight in elections, with their president stating, “American citizens will not be silenced.”
