Honestly, if you told someone ten years ago that Larry David would end up in a Georgia jail cell for being too nice, they’d think you were pitching a rejected Seinfeld script. But that's exactly how the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm kicked off. The Larry David voting episode, titled "Antelope," didn't just give us the usual cringe comedy; it dove headfirst into a massive political firestorm that’s still being debated in real courtrooms.
Larry gets arrested. Why? Because he handed a bottle of water to a woman standing in a long voting line.
It sounds like a classic "Larry-ism," a bit of exaggerated satire designed to make the world look as ridiculous as he feels it is. Only, this time, the joke was based on a very real, very controversial law.
The Arrest Heard 'Round Atlanta
The scene is peak Curb. Larry is in Atlanta to make a paid appearance at a businessman's party. While there, he visits Auntie Rae, the aunt of his long-time housemate and "manager" Leon Black. Auntie Rae is stuck in a sweltering line at her polling place, waiting for hours to cast her ballot. Seeing her struggle in the heat, Larry—in a rare moment of genuine, non-selfish kindness—grabs a bottle of Evian from his car and hands it to her.
Seconds later, he’s in handcuffs.
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"You're under arrest for violation of the Election Integrity Act," a police officer tells a bewildered Larry. He’s hauled off to the Fulton County Jail, where the show delivers its most iconic visual of the season: Larry David’s mugshot, a direct and hilarious parody of Donald Trump's "scowl" photo taken at that same jail.
Is the Larry David Voting Episode Grounded in Reality?
You might be wondering if Georgia actually has a "no water" law. It does. Sorta.
The law in question is Senate Bill 202, also known as the Election Integrity Act of 2021. It was passed by Georgia Republicans following the 2020 election and includes a 98-page list of new rules. One specific provision, often called the "line-warming" ban, makes it a misdemeanor to distribute food or drinks to voters waiting in line.
- The 150-Foot Rule: It is illegal to give away food or water within 150 feet of a polling building.
- The 25-Foot Rule: You also can't do it within 25 feet of any voter standing in line, even if they are further than 150 feet from the building.
- The Penalty: Breaking this can land you up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Proponents of the law argue it prevents "electioneering"—the practice of groups trying to influence voters at the last second by being "helpful." Critics, and Larry David himself (through the show), call it "barbaric."
What the Show Got Right (and Wrong)
Larry David and executive producer Jeff Schaffer didn't just stumble into this. They planned it for two years. Schaffer told The Hollywood Reporter that as soon as the law passed, Larry said, "This is insane. I think it’d be funny if I got arrested for that."
But the show did take some creative liberties. For one, the episode depicts a "sweltering" day in Atlanta. In reality, most Georgia elections happen in November or during runoffs in December/January when the weather is actually quite mild. You're more likely to need a light jacket than a cold Evian.
Also, the law doesn't technically ban all water. Polling workers are allowed to set up self-service water stations for people in line. The crime is specifically about an individual or group handing items directly to voters.
The Political Fallout
The Larry David voting episode didn't just sit quietly on HBO. It actually got a response from Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger. He sent a cheeky, sarcasm-heavy letter to Larry David, congratulating him on being the "first and only person" arrested for giving water to a voter.
Raffensperger defended the law, claiming wait times in Georgia are now under two minutes anyway, rendering the whole "dying of thirst in line" scenario a myth. However, voting rights activists like Stacey Abrams—who actually made a cameo in the show to praise Larry's "heroism"—disagree. They argue that in predominantly Black precincts, long lines are still a very real hurdle.
Why This Episode Matters Now
What makes this storyline so effective is how it mirrors the Seinfeld series finale. In that episode, the gang goes to jail for violating a "Good Samaritan Law"—essentially being punished for doing nothing while someone was in trouble.
In Curb, Larry is punished for finally doing something good.
It’s a cynical, perfect full-circle moment for David’s career. It also highlights a shift in how we consume political commentary. Instead of a dry news segment about SB 202, millions of people learned about the "line-relief" ban through a man complaining about stretched-out glasses and "cordial" behavior.
Essential Takeaways for Your Next Rewatch
If you’re heading back to watch the season again, keep these nuances in mind to see the full picture of the satire:
- Check the Buffer Zone: A federal judge actually loosened the rules in 2023. You can now give water to people if they are more than 150 feet away from the polling place, though the 25-foot "line" rule still makes it tricky.
- Look at the Mugshot: The spray-tan and the tilted-head scowl are a frame-for-frame parody of the 2023 Trump booking photo.
- The "Voter Waterer": Larry becomes a national hero in the show's universe, nicknamed the "voter waterer." This sets up the entire season's arc, leading to a trial that mimics the pressure of a real-world political circus.
To get the most out of this storyline, look up the actual text of Georgia's SB 202 "line-warming" provision (Section 33). Comparing the legalese to Larry's "barbaric" outburst shows just how little the writers had to exaggerate to find the comedy. You can also follow the ongoing litigation from groups like the ACLU and the NAACP, who are still challenging parts of the law in federal court to this day.
Next Steps:
To see how this legal drama concludes, you'll want to jump straight to the series finale, "No Lessons Learned." It brings the Georgia trial to a head and features several surprise witnesses who testify against Larry's character—proving that while he may be a hero for voting rights, he’s still the same old Larry.