hb1015_LC_28_2710_a

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06 LC 28 2710

House Bill 1015

By: Representatives Porter of the 143rd, Hugley of the 133rd, Smyre of the 132nd, Randall of the 138th, Ashe of the 56th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 21-2-380 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the definition of "absentee elector" and when reason for absentee ballot not required, so as to provide for advance voting throughout the period for absentee balloting; to provide for certain optional advance voting hours; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 21-2-380 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the definition of "absentee elector" and when reason for absentee ballot not required, is amended by striking the Code section and inserting in lieu thereof a new Code Section 21-2-380 to read as follows:

∀21-2-380.

(a) As used in this article, the term 'absentee elector' means an elector of this state or a municipality thereof who:

(1) Is required to be absent from his or her precinct during the time of the primary or election he or she desires to vote in;

(2) Will perform any of the official acts or duties set forth in this chapter in connection with the primary or election he or she desires to vote in;

(3) Because of physical disability or because of being required to give constant care to someone who is physically disabled, will be unable to be present at the polls on the day of such primary or election;

(4) Because the election or primary falls upon a religious holiday observed by such elector, will be unable to be present at the polls on the day of such primary or election;

(5) Is required to remain on duty in his or her place of employment for the protection of the health, life, or safety of the public during the entire time the polls are open when such place of employment is within the precinct in which the voter resides; or

(6) Is 75 years of age or older.

(b) An elector who requests an desires to vote by absentee ballot shall do so by mail or as otherwise provided in this article or who, during the period of Monday through Friday of the week immediately preceding the date of a absentee balloting period for the primary, election, or run-off primary or election in which such person desires to vote, casts by casting an absentee ballot in person at the registraŕs office or absentee ballot clerḱs office shall not be required to provide a reason as identified in subsection (a) of this Code section in order to cast an absentee ballot in such primary, election, or run-off primary or election. In addition to the time period set forth in this Code section for casting an absentee ballot in person, the registrars or absentee ballot clerk, as the case may be, are authorized to open their offices for the purpose of casting absentee ballots in person on the second and third Saturdays prior to the primary, election, or run-off primary or election. The registraŕs office or absentee ballot clerḱs office, as the case may be, shall not be open for casting absentee ballots in person on the Saturday immediately prior to the primary, election, or run-off primary or election. If the registrars or absentee ballot clerk, as the case may be, choose to open their office on such Saturdays, the registrars or absentee ballot clerk, as the case may be, shall publish notice at least once a week for two weeks prior to such Saturdays in the legal organ of the county of such intent and the hours in which such office shall be open on such Saturdays. No elector shall be required to specify a reason for voting by absentee ballot.∀

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.