Representative Sandra Scott said on Apr. 10 that she opposed House Bill 369, arguing that the legislation is not focused on election reform but instead concerns political power and control. Scott said the bill was changed in its final hours from food truck regulations to a measure that removes partisan labels from local elections in several metro Atlanta counties, including Clayton, DeKalb, Cobb, Fulton, and Gwinnett.
Scott said removing party labels would impact communities where Black voters have built significant political influence. “Partisan labels are not just symbols—they provide transparency, accountability and clarity for voters,” Scott said. She added that the change is strategic and intended to confuse voters while weakening coalitions formed by Black communities and especially Black women leaders.
According to Scott, the rise of Black women in leadership roles across county commissions, district attorney offices, and judicial seats has prompted this legislative response. She argued that HB 369 seeks to diminish progress made by these groups: “This bill is a direct response to that progress.” Scott also criticized how the bill was altered late in the process: “This legislation was hijacked at the last minute—turning a food truck bill into a sweeping elections bill. That is not transparency. That is not good governance. That is legislative sleight of hand.”
Scott emphasized her decision to vote against HB 369 because she believes it undermines democratic principles and disproportionately affects communities with histories of fighting for representation: “I voted no because I will not stand by while laws are passed to weaken the power of the people—especially in communities that have already had to fight too hard just to be heard.”
Burns, a Republican who has represented Georgia’s 159th House District since being elected in 2005 after Ray Holland stepped down according to Wikipedia, played a role as state representative during consideration of this legislation.
The debate around HB 369 reflects ongoing tensions about voting rights and representation in Georgia’s growing urban areas.
