Joseph Ax

(Reuters.) – Georgia’s legislature has approved a bill to expand law enforcement’s powers to investigate election corruption over objections by voting rights group. It is part of a wave Republican-backed legislation that was passed following the false claims of former President Donald Trump that the 2020 election had been rigged.

This legislation, passed Monday night, would allow the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to begin investigations into election fraud. Current law states that the secretary of the state can request assistance from the GBI to assist with any allegations of irregularities.

Trump has criticized both Governor Brian Kemp (a Republican) and Secretary of States Brad Raffensperger (a fellow Republican) for failing to change the outcome of the 2020 elections, which saw President Joe Biden become the first Democrat since nearly thirty years to win the state.

Raffensperger and officials from the state electoral commission have stated that there weren’t any major issues with the results of the election after numerous audits and investigations. Trump supported Republican challengers Kemp, Raffensperger. He also held rallies for them in Georgia on March 26, 2017.

The bill passed through the state Senate in party-line votes. This was a significant departure from the earlier version passed by the House of Representatives. There were several other provisions in the bill that had been included, such as a limitation on non-profit grant money for local election officials and additional ballot security measures.

Kemp will now sign or veto the bill. The governor’s spokesperson did not respond to the question, but said that the bill is now up for his signature or veto.

Democrats and Voting Rights Groups have both pointed out the rarity of election fraud in the United States. They also argued for greater involvement by law enforcement in elections to incite voters, especially those from color.

The $580,000 proposed budget for the state will fund four election investigators at GBI.

“This year’s rushed process looks likely to cost Georgia taxpayers $580,000 a year – which will be spent chasing conspiracy theories,” Aunna Dennis, the executive director of Common Cause Georgia, a good government group, said in a statement.

According to supporters of the bill, it will ensure that all allegations are investigated thoroughly. That will help improve confidence among the public.

Florida Republican lawmakers approved legislation last month that created a new elections police force in order to investigate claims of fraud.

Last year, Florida and Georgia passed extensive voting restrictions along with many other Republican-controlled states.