Bill Text: GA SB348 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Election; permit absentee voting during a certain period preceding an election or primary

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-02 - Senate Read and Referred [SB348 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-SB348-Introduced.html

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10 LC 35 1599

Senate Bill 348

By: Senators Buckner of the 44th, Jones of the 10th, Butler of the 55th, Tate of the 38th, Seay of the 34th 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 defining absentee elector and when reason for an absentee ballot is not required, so as to permit absentee voting during a certain period preceding an election or primary; to provide that the offices of the board of registrars and absentee ballot clerk shall be open for extended hours during the on-site absentee voting period; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; 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 defining absentee elector and when reason for an absentee ballot is not required, is amended 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 absentee ballot by mail or who casts an absentee ballot in person at the registrar's office or absentee ballot clerk's office shall not be required to provide a reason in order to cast an absentee ballot in any primary, election, or run-off primary or election.

(c) The main office of the board of registrars in each county, the absentee ballot clerk's office, and such other locations approved by the board of registrars or absentee ballot clerk shall remain open a minimum of one Saturday during the period of early absentee voting preceding a primary or general election for at least eight hours, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., for the purpose of accepting absentee ballots and permitting voters to cast absentee ballots in person."

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2011, and shall apply to all elections and primaries held on or after such date.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.