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GA SB214

GA SB214
Elections and Primaries; electors to cast physical absentee on-request ballots as an alternative to using other authorized means of casting in-person votes; authorize

summary

Introduced
02/19/2025
In Committee
03/18/2026
Crossed Over
04/02/2025
Passed
Dead
04/02/2026

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as so as to provide for the provision by the state of new voting equipment as of January 1, 2028, that may include hand marked paper ballots; to provide for ballot on demand printing; to revise and provide for definitions; to provide for the design, review, and record keeping of ballots printed by ballot on demand printing equipment; to provide for storage, programming, testing, and custody of ballot on demand printing equipment; to provide that a certain number of electronic ballot marking devices are ready for use at each election day and advance voting location for voters with disabilities; to provide for provisions related to official ballot for vote tabulation of optical scanned ballots; to provide for preferential treatment during advance voting to certain voters accompanied by children two years of age or younger; to revise provisions related to certain voters who need assistance; to provide for preferential treatment during certain hours on election day to certain voters accompanied by children two years of age or younger; to revise provisions related to certain voters who need assistance; to provide that ballot scanners at precincts and at advance voting locations be programmed to reject ballots with overvotes to allow for electors to review their overvoted ballot prior to acceptance; to revise provisions related to data that must be posted with scanned ballots following the closing of the polls; to revise provisions related to the posting of certain digital images following an election; to revise provisions related to a pilot program for auditing paper ballots; to revise provisions related to certain recounts of votes; to making conforming changes; to revise provisions related to certain offenses to include references to ballot on demand printing equipment; to amend an Act relating to elections and primaries approved May 6, 2024 (Ga. L. 2024, p. 1028), SB 189, so as to revise an effective date; to provide for related matters; to provide effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, concerning elections and primaries in Georgia, introduces "ballot on demand printing" (a system that prints ballots for each ballot style within a county or municipality) and "hand marked paper ballots" (paper ballots manually completed by voters without electronic aids) as new options for casting votes. It mandates the state to provide new voting equipment by January 1, 2028, which may include these paper ballot options, and revises definitions and procedures related to ballot printing, safekeeping, and review. The bill also updates requirements for electronic ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities, programming ballot scanners to reject overvotes and allow correction, and posting election data and images. Additionally, it establishes a pilot program for auditing paper ballots, modifies recount procedures by changing the threshold for a mandatory recount from one-half of one percent to one percent of total votes, and grants preferential treatment during advance voting and on election day to certain voters accompanied by young children. The bill also makes conforming changes to laws regarding election offenses and amends an existing act to revise an effective date, with various sections taking effect at different times between July 1, 2026, and January 1, 2028.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (on 04/02/2026)

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