Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, known for his principled stand against former President Donald Trump following the 2020 election, found himself in an unexpected exchange involving both Trump and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star Larry David over a plotline in the show.
In the latest season’s premiere of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” David’s character, portrayed as himself, hands a friend a water bottle while she waits in line to vote and is promptly arrested for violating a state law against campaigning to people in line.
Raffensperger, defending the controversial law passed in 2021, which prohibits anyone other than the poll manager from providing items like food or water to voters waiting in line, saw fit to address the situation in a letter to Larry David, filled with biting humor directed at both David and Trump.
“The polling place should be a place where voters are free from pressure and influence and can cast their vote in peace and confidence,” argued Raffensperger in an op-ed.
Now, Raffensperger is defending the law again in the aforementioned letter full of scathing jokes aimed at both David and Trump.
“Mr. Larry David, As the chief elections officer for the State of Georgia, we would like to congratulate you on becoming the first, and to our knowledge, only person arrested for distributing water bottles to voters within 150 feet of a polling station. We apologize if you didn’t receive celebrity treatment at the local jail. I’m afraid they’ve gotten used to bigger stars. It’s the TMZ of mugshots,” began Raffensperger.
He continued:
Given the obvious concern you have about access to voting in Georgia, you’ll be glad to hear that waiting times for all voters, including Leon’s aunt, were under two minutes, even as we experienced record turnout.
Whether wanted or unwanted, I know you’ve received a lot of attention related to your actions in a Georgia election. Believe me, I understand. And while my powers as secretary of state to perform miracles are often overstated, I’m afraid I lack the authority to grant a pardon – even if you call me to ask for one.
Yours truly,
Brad Raffensperger
