Atlanta, Ga. — The Major League Baseball All-Star Game makes its return to Atlanta on Tuesday, marking the event’s first appearance in the city since it was relocated four years ago due to a controversial state election law.
The law in question, Senate Bill 202, garnered national scrutiny when it was enacted in 2021 after Georgia had recently concluded its presidential election. Critics, including voting rights organizations, raised alarms about several provisions within the legislation that significantly limited ballot drop boxes and early voting sites. The law also introduced stricter identification requirements for voters and prohibited providing food and water to those standing in long lines, prompting concerns that it would disproportionately affect voters of color.
Following the passage of Senate Bill 202, Major League Baseball decided to host the All-Star Game in Colorado instead of Atlanta, a move that was well-received by proponents of voting rights. State Senator Jason Anavitarte, the Republican majority leader, expressed his disappointment about the decision, stating that the situation had become politicized and detracted from baseball’s focus.
Democrats and advocates hailed MLB’s decision to relocate the event, with then-President Joe Biden denouncing the Georgia law as “Jim Crow 2.0.” However, as Atlanta prepares to welcome the All-Star Game again, supporters of the election law question the return, noting that the legislation remains unchanged even as its impacts are still being contested in court.
Anavitarte acknowledged the excitement around the game returning to Atlanta. He emphasized that fears surrounding voter suppression had not materialized, projecting a more positive narrative as the city prepares for the All-Star festivities. Governor Brian Kemp echoed these sentiments, asserting that while Georgia’s voting regulations have not shifted, it is encouraging to see MLB’s perspective evolve.
Critics, however, remain skeptical of the decision. Gerald Griggs, the president of the Georgia NAACP, voiced confusion about MLB’s return to Atlanta, arguing that the barriers to voting established by Senate Bill 202 are still a reality. Griggs expressed support for MLB’s prior stance on social justice but questioned whether the league fully grasps the current political landscape in Georgia.
As Atlanta gears up for the All-Star Game, the tension between political realities and ceremonial celebrations continues to unfold, leaving many to wonder how this year’s festivities will play out in the context of ongoing discussions surrounding voting rights and access.
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