06 LC 28
2734
House
Bill 1045
By:
Representatives Powell of the
29th,
Willard of the
49th,
McCall of the
30th,
Bearden of the
68th,
Crawford of the
127th,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 10 of Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to absentee voting, so as to repeal the provisions of law
concerning casting absentee ballots by mail without specifying a reason; to
provide for the casting of absentee ballots on the day prior to a primary,
election, or run-off primary or election; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
10 of Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to absentee voting, is amended by striking Code Section 21-2-380, relating to
the definition of "absentee elector" and when reason for absentee ballot not
required, 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 in
which 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
in
which 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 absentee ballot by mail or
who, during the period of Monday through Friday of the week immediately
preceding the date of a primary, election, or run-off primary or election, casts
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.∀
SECTION
2.
Said
article is further amended by striking paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code
Section 21-2-384, relating to preparation and delivery of absentee ballot
supplies, mailing of absentee ballots, oath of absentee electors and persons
assisting absentee electors, master list of ballots sent, and challenges of
absentee electors, and inserting in lieu thereof a new paragraph (2) to read as
follows:
∀(2)
The board of registrars or absentee ballot clerk shall, within two days after
the receipt of such ballots and supplies, mail or issue official absentee
ballots to all eligible applicants. As additional applicants are determined to
be eligible, the board or clerk shall mail or issue official absentee ballots to
such additional applicants immediately upon determining their eligibility;
provided, however, that no absentee ballot shall be mailed by the registrars or
absentee ballot clerk on the day prior to a primary or election
and
provided, further, that no absentee ballot shall be issued on the day prior to a
primary or
election.∀
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.