Before Kemp installed the exact match system, he knew that the process would disproportionately affect voters of color. Back in 2009, his predecessor Karen Handel sought permission to use the system. In response, the Obama Justice Department summarily rejected exact match as presenting “real,” “substantial,” and “retrogressive” burdens on voters of color—warning that it would have a racially discriminatory effect. With the Shelby decision eliminating the need for the state to get permission to use exact match, Kemp resurrected the discredited policy.
