Barry Fleming

Barry Fleming (born May 20, 1965) is an American politician who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2013 to 2024. He previously served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009.^[1][2]

Barry Fleming
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office January 14, 2013 – January 9, 2024
Preceded by	Lee Anderson (redistricting)
Succeeded by	Gary Richardson
Constituency	121st District (2013–2023) 125th District (2023–2024)
In office January 13, 2003 – January 12, 2009
Preceded by	Tom Rice
Succeeded by	Lee Anderson
Constituency	79th District (2003–2005) 117th District (2005–2009)
Personal details
Born	(1965-05-20) May 20, 1965 (age 59) Harlem, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Georgia (BA, JD)

In 2021, he introduced an election reform bill that would restrict voting access.^[3][4] Among its many provisions, it would restrict where ballot drop boxes can be located and when they can be accessed, require photo identification for absentee voting, shift back the deadline to request an absentee ballot, and limit early voting hours.^[3] Most controversially, it would restrict early voting on Sundays, when Black churches traditionally run "Souls to the Polls" get-out-the-vote efforts;^[5][6] according to The Economist, Black voter turnout is 10 percentage points higher on Sundays.^[7]

On March 10, 2021, Hancock County commissioners voted 4–0 to ask for Fleming’s resignation as the county's attorney because of his sponsorship of House Bill 531, which critics call a "voter suppression bill".^[8] The 2019 Census shows that "Hancock County's population is around 71% African-American" and 2020 election results showed Joe Biden won Hancock County with 71.7% of the vote versus 27.8% for Donald Trump.^[8]

Georgia governor Brian Kemp appointed Fleming to serve as a superior court judge on the Columbia Judicial Circuit on December 28, 2023.^[9] He was sworn in on January 10, 2024.^[9]

See also

• Republican efforts to restrict voting following the 2020 presidential election
• Election Integrity Act of 2021

References

1. "Representative Barry Fleming". House.ga.gov. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
2. "Special-election winner Broun fighting from behind vs. Fleming". The Hill. 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
3. Nadler, Ben; Yoganathan, Anila (1 March 2021). "Georgia House passes GOP bill rolling back voting access". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2021-03-01.
4. Simms, Claire (1 March 2021). "Georgia House approves election reform legislation". Fox 5. Archived from the original on 2021-03-01.
5. Corasaniti, Nick; Rutenberg, Jim (2021-03-06). "In Georgia, Republicans Take Aim at Role of Black Churches in Elections". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
6. Scott, Eugene (24 February 2021). "New Georgia legislation would curb 'souls to the polls'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2021-02-24.
7. "America's battle over election laws". The Economist. 13 March 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-03-11.
8. "Hancock County commissioners ask attorney behind GOP-led election bill to resign". WMAZ. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
9. Niesse, Mark (December 28, 2023). "Republican behind Georgia voting law appointed as judge". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Georgia House of Representatives
Preceded by Tom Rice	Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 79th district 2003–2005	Succeeded by Fran Millar
Preceded by Larry O'Neal	Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 117th district 2005–2009	Succeeded by Lee Anderson
Preceded by Henry Howard	Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 121st district 2013–2023	Succeeded by Marcus Wiedower
Preceded by Sheila Nelson	Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 125th district 2023–2024	Succeeded by Gary Richardson