Have read through the raft of legislation the Georgia Senate dropped in the hopper last night, and as usual, I have thoughts.

Follow along here if you want to hear them.

SB 62 requires precinct name and designation to be printed on ballots; reinforces chain of custody with absentee ballots; requires “holographic security device” on all ballot paper.

Not terrible, but needs more flexibility... along with a fiscal note.

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59208

SB 67 requires photo ID for absentee ballots. Voters can provide ID # online or on the app with a GA DL, OR a photocopy of an ID if voter does not have a GA DL. Also authorizes SOS to establish a web portal for absentee apps.

*sounds* better, but...

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59216

Photo ID ONLY serves to prevent voter identity fraud.

How many cases of voter identity fraud have been documented in Georgia?

How many cases of voter identity fraud have been documented in the US?

What EXACTLY would this law protect against?

SB 68 bans use of absentee ballot drop boxes.

Those steel boxes bolted to the ground under 24-hour video surveillance.

Because the U.S. postal system is so much more secure...

Again, *what does this contribute to election integrity?*

(Hint: correct answer is NOTHING).

SB 69 revokes automatic registration and instead requires individuals affirmative to opt IN to register to vote via DDS or to update voter registration with a change of address.

Of all of the proposed bills this is the most egregiously anti-democratic. https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59221

There is literally no good reason to make it harder to register, aside from limiting the pool of potential new voters because the GOP does not believe it can actually earn to votes of these newly registered voters.

A desperate measure to attempt to entrench minority rule.

SB 70 prevents newly registered voters from casting a ballot in a federal runoff if they voted in a general in another state.

A similar case was litigated in 2017 and the GOP lost. This would likely cost the state $$ to defend, only to be found unlawful.

Sore losers.

SB 71 revokes no-excuse absentee balloting; restricts access to absentee ballots due to “absence” from precinct during voting, election workers, religious holiday, disability, caregiving, certain first responders, and voters aged 75 and older. https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59224

Recall that Georgia has had no-excuse absentee balloting for more than a decade, passed by a GOP held state house.

Until 2018, absentee ballots were predominantly cast by Republicans.

The GOP only wants to limit access now that they are no longer an asset to the party.

SB 72 requires registrars to obtain monthly death reports from county coroner, probate judges, and funeral homes for list maintenance.

This speaks more to the GOP’s Big Lie about “dead voters” than any real need.

I would love to hear from counties about the burden here.

SB 73 prohibits third party groups from distributing absentee ballot applications—only election superintendent, SOS, candidate or candidate campaign committee may. Applications must list the name of candidate or elected official who distributed it.

...

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59223

In addition to the obvious First Amendment problems with this law, I also find it deeply problematic to list the name of a candidate for office on a ballot application. This would be strongly suggestive of support for the candidate, and potentially violate ballot secrecy.

SB 74 expands access to poll watchers for vote tabulation; requires any restrictions on movement and access for poll watchers to be “as minimal as possible.”

This has the potential to be a positive change—but poll watchers and tabulation observers need much more robust training.

These steps are a clear response to the GOP’s realization that without changing its platform to attract more voters, its statewide vote share will continue to shrink, unless it more barriers to the ballot box can be erected.

These are patently anti-democratic moves.

Voters should call members of the Senate Ethics Committee and make their voices heard—these bills are NOT in the best interest of Georgians, and should not be supported by the committee.

Find committee members here:

https://www.legis.ga.gov/committees/senate/75

Reach out to your Congressional Reps, including @RepLucyMcBath, @RepBourdeaux, @RepNikema, @davidscott14, @RepHankJohnson, @ossoff, @ReverendWarnock and urge them to prioritize both the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act reauthorization.

Georgia needs to continue moving forward, not move backwards in time and in rights.

Let’s make sure our reps know that we will hold them accountable.