Stacy Abrams voting rights group is in debt laying off workers

Fair Fight, the formidable voting rights organization founded by Stacey Abrams in Georgia, once celebrated for its pivotal role in boosting voter engagement and securing Democratic wins, now faces a dire situation.

Recent revelations indicate that the organization is teetering on the edge of significant downsizing, with nearly all its staff slated for layoffs due to mounting financial pressures.

According to reports from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fair Fight, burdened by substantial debts from legal battles over voting rights, is compelled to take drastic measures. With millions in debt, the organization is reducing its workforce by approximately 75%, scaling back crucial functions such as grassroots organizing, advocacy for voting rights, fundraising initiatives, and media outreach. Additionally, it plans to minimize its reliance on external consultants and vendors, highlighting the severity of its financial woes.

In response to these challenges, Lauren Groh-Wargo, former campaign manager for Stacey Abrams’ gubernatorial bid against Republican Governor Brian Kemp in 2022, is set to lead Fair Fight in an interim capacity.

Groh-Wargo’s return signals a strategic effort to navigate the organization through its financial crisis. The staggering debt, totaling $2.5 million, juxtaposed with limited available funds amounting to $1.9 million, underscores the urgency of the situation.

Salena Jegede, chair of Fair Fight’s board, acknowledged the organization’s precarious financial state, attributing it to sluggish fundraising efforts and escalating litigation expenses. Jegede stressed the need to address the funding deficit to ensure the organization’s continued effectiveness in advocating for democracy and voter rights.

Despite the setback, Jegede reaffirmed Fair Fight’s unwavering dedication to its mission, asserting that the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding democratic principles.

She expressed a firm determination to adapt to the evolving landscape and refocus efforts on serving Georgia and American voters for the 2024 electoral cycle and beyond.

Fair Fight, conceived by Stacey Abrams in response to perceived voter suppression following her gubernatorial defeat to Brian Kemp in 2018, burgeoned into a prominent force in Georgia politics. The organization’s influence expanded in 2019 with the creation of Fair Fight PAC, which amplified its advocacy through political channels.

Notably, Fair Fight played a pivotal role in significant electoral victories, including President Biden’s triumph in Georgia during the 2020 presidential election and the successful senatorial campaigns of Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in the consequential runoff races of January 2021.

The organization vehemently opposed Georgia’s contentious voting legislation in 2021, denouncing it as “Jim Crow 2.0” and challenging its provisions aimed at enhancing election integrity. However, despite its efforts, Fair Fight’s legal challenge was unsuccessful, resulting in a federal court order to pay substantial legal costs.

Fair Fight’s current trials highlight the formidable obstacles facing organizations dedicated to protecting voting rights in a contentious political environment.

As it navigates through this turbulent period, the organization’s resilience and adaptability will be put to the test, underscoring the enduring struggle to uphold the pillars of democray.