Challenges in the Life of Stacey Abrams in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Stacey Abrams's life and career.

Stacey Abrams is an American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author. She served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, and as minority leader from 2011 to 2017. A prominent Democrat, Abrams founded Fair Fight Action in 2018, an organization dedicated to combating voter suppression. She is widely recognized for her impactful work in increasing voter turnout in Georgia, particularly in the 2020 presidential election and the 2020-21 Senate elections, which ultimately contributed to Democratic victories.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1956: Confederate battle flag added to state flag

In 1956, the Confederate battle flag was added to the Georgia state flag as an anti-civil rights movement action.

June 1992: Protest at the Georgia Capitol

In June 1992, Stacey Abrams participated in a protest on the steps of the Georgia Capitol, during which she joined in burning the Georgia state flag with the Confederate battle flag.

2012: Voter Registrations Canceled

Between 2012 and 2018, Kemp's office canceled over 1.4 million voter registrations.

2015: Deferred 2015 taxes

Abrams deferred her 2015 taxes to help with her family's medical bills.

2016: Deferred 2016 taxes

Abrams deferred her 2016 taxes to help with her family's medical bills.

2016: Voter Registrations Purged

Between 2016 and 2017, approximately 534,000 Georgians had their voter registrations purged, with more than 334,000 still living where they were registered.

July 2017: Voter Registrations Canceled

On a single night in July 2017, half a million voters had their registrations canceled by Kemp's office, with election-law experts suggesting that this "may represent the largest mass disenfranchisement in US history."

2017: Voter Registration Purge

In 2017, Kemp purged nearly 670,000 voter registrations, which Abrams argued suppressed turnout.

April 2018: Revealed debt in op-ed

In April 2018, Abrams wrote an op-ed revealing that she owed $54,000 in federal back taxes and held $174,000 in debt.

October 2018: Voter Registration Applications on Hold

By early October 2018, more than 53,000 voter registration applications had been put on hold by Kemp's office, with more than 75% belonging to minorities.

November 6, 2018: Lost Gubernatorial Election

On November 6, 2018, Stacey Abrams lost the Georgia gubernatorial election by 54,723 votes.

2018: Voter Registrations Canceled

Between 2012 and 2018, Kemp's office canceled over 1.4 million voter registrations.

2018: Democratic Nominee for Governor

In 2018, Stacey Abrams was the Democratic nominee in the Georgia gubernatorial election, becoming the first African-American female major-party gubernatorial nominee in the United States; she lost to Brian Kemp by 1.4%.

2018: Accusations of Voter Suppression

In 2018, during the election between Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp, Kemp was accused of voter suppression in his role as Georgia's secretary of state. Political scientists and election law experts criticized his actions, raising concerns about voter disenfranchisement and election security.

2020: Investigation into Georgia Democratic Party

In 2020, Kemp's office announced that it was investigating the Georgia Democratic Party for unspecified "possible cybercrimes", later investigation concluded that there was no evidence of computer crimes.

April 2021: Claims in legal challenge allowed to proceed

In April 2021, a judge allowed some claims in the legal challenge to proceed while rejecting others in the Fair Fight lawsuit.

October 2022: Federal judge rules against Fair Fight

In October 2022, a federal judge ruled against Fair Fight on remaining claims, stating that Georgia's voting regulations did not violate the Constitution or the Voting Rights Act.