It’s been a few years since I was actively involved in electoral politics, but my impression is that some things haven’t changed: There are still two parties. The two parties still have somewhat different agendas for what to do when they’re in control of government. And the two parties still compete with each other for votes to win elections and enact their agendas. That’s why it confuses me so much that Republicans in the Georgia legislature — and others around the country — are pursuing election reform policies that would alienate so many voters the party needs.
It’s no secret that the 2020 election was, from the perspective of the average voter, unlike any this country has ever seen. The sums of money spent on the campaign were unprecedented. Turnout rates were higher than they’ve been in decades. And because of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people who normally vote in person on Election Day instead voted early or absentee.