Link: General Assembly
Summary:
SB 214 would re-introduce hand-marked paper ballots and the use of optical scanners to read them without providing funding or time for counties to implement this costly and unnecessary system. This bill has strong potential to become a “zombie bill” and include other voter suppression tactics from bills that failed to cross over earlier in the legislative session.
Status: OPPOSE
Details:
UUGALAN is amplifying an alert from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus:
“SB 214 is an elections bill sponsored by Max Burns of Sylvania. On its face it sounds simple – it gives voters the ability to cast their votes in polling places using pen or pencils, which can now be used to complete absentee ballots. In other words, it would allow voters at polling places during early voting and on Election Day to request a hand-marked paper ballot as an alternative to using Georgia’s current electronic touchscreen voting machines (Dominion Voting Systems ballot marking devices).
- SB 214 is part of a broader overhaul of Georgia’s election system.
- The State Election Board is simultaneously pushing to end no-excuse absentee voting.
- The cost to change the machines would be $66 million [funds that could otherwise] be used to help house and feed people.”
Action:
Attend Georgia House Government Affairs Committee meeting, Tuesday, March 17, at 1 p.m. and publicly state opposition to the bill. Location: Room 506 in the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB), 18 Capitol Square SW, Atlanta, GA 30334. Call members of the committee Tuesday morning to state opposition to the bill.