Page:Wood v. Raffensperger (1 20-cv-04651-SDG) (2020) Opinion and Order.pdf/2

 I. BACKGROUND

On November 3, 2020, the United States conducted a general election for various federal, state, and local political offices (the General Election). However, the voting process in Georgia began in earnest before that date. On September 15, 2020, local election officials began mailing absentee ballots for the General Election to eligible voters. On October 12, 2020, Georgia’s in-person, early voting period started. This entire process played out amidst the throes of a global health pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2—colloquially known as COVID-19. Due in large part to the threat posed by COVID-19, an overwhelming number of Georgia voters—over 1 million of the 5 million votes cast by November 3—participated in the General Election through the use of absentee ballots.

Wood, a registered voter in Fulton County, Georgia, believes Defendants—the elected officials tasked with conducting elections in the state—performed their roles in an unconstitutional manner. As such, Wood initiated this action on