The New Georgia Project, a voter registration nonprofit founded by former Georgia state representative Stacey Abrams, has been hit with a hefty $300,000 fine—the largest amount in state history—for violating campaign finance law. According to an article by The New York Post, the organization secretly spent $3.2 million on canvassers and campaign fliers supporting Stacey Abrams and other candidates during the 2018 gubernatorial race without properly disclosing these political contributions.
This penalty was levied by Georgia’s ethics commission after the commission determined that the undisclosed spending had directly boosted Stacey Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign. The nonprofit, alongside its action fund, acknowledged these financial infractions and agreed to pay the penalty. A spokesperson for the New Georgia Project stated that the group wants to shift its focus back to its core mission of engaging and registering Black, Brown, and young voters in Georgia.
Stacey Abrams has long been recognized as a prominent figure in Georgia politics and a high-profile political candidate on the national stage. While she has garnered praise for voter registration initiatives, this recent fine brings renewed attention to the importance of strict compliance with campaign finance regulations. Other respected media outlets like CNN have also covered her political activities and the ongoing debates around voting rights in the state.
As this matter moves forward, many observers believe it highlights the growing scrutiny on nonprofit organizations involved in electoral activities, further emphasizing the need for transparent financial disclosures. With this record-breaking penalty in place, the New Georgia Project faces greater pressure to ensure all future outreach campaigns follow state and federal campaign finance law to the letter.
