ViacomCBS weighed in on Georgia's new law that makes it more difficult for voters to cast their ballots, offering its support for "an open and fair voting system."
The company tweeted a statement Wednesday that read, "We unequivocally believe in the importance of all Americans having an equal right to vote and oppose the recent Georgia voting rights law or any effort that impedes the ability to exercise this vital constitutional right."
The statement continued, "Increasing voter access and civic engagement is one of ViacomCBS' core social impact pillars and we will continue to educate the public on the importance of an open and fair voting system through our programming and extensive partnerships with grassroots organizations that promote and increase participation in elections."
Gov. Brian Kemp signed the 98-page omnibus bill last week, which imposes multiple changes on the way elections are conducted in the state. The law removes the secretary of state as chair of the elections board and gives power to the state legislature to suspend and temporarily replace county elections officials. It also cuts the number of days voters can request and receive absentee ballots; creates new standards for the identification absentee voters use to prove their identity; limits the number of dropboxes to be used to collect absentee ballots in each county and cuts the hours and days when they are available; and shortens the number of days the state can conduct runoff elections.
Another provision, among many more, makes it a misdemeanor to deliver "food and drink" within 150 feet of a polling place or within 25 feet of a voter in line.
Critics argue that the impact of all of the changes is to make voting more difficult, particularly in areas with larger numbers of Black and Democratic voters, prompting calls for boycotts and for major corporations in the state to speak against it. Numerous TV shows and films are produced in the state, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Walking Dead, Cobra Kai, Black Lightning and Stargirl.
Source: Twitter