ATLANTA — Georgia's state election board is considering new rules that could establish new procedures ahead of the November election. These rules could really change how elections work just a few weeks before people cast their votes for president.
In the meantime, Georgia's latest election laws went into effect in July. These laws could already change what voters see the next time they cast their ballot.
HB1207: Fewer polling machines, election workers must be U.S. citizens
Thanks to HB1207, polling stations are now allowed to have fewer voting machines—or more. The law allows polling stations to adjust according to expected turnout. However, election officials have to justify the change. This means voters could expect to see fewer polling machines for elections with smaller turnouts, like special elections and runoffs.
This new law also establishes that election workers must be U.S. citizens and poll watchers can get a closer look at the vote-counting process. It also prohibits any threats or violence that could interfere with an election official or poll watcher trying to do their job, offering more protection to those who choose to contribute to this democratic process.
RELATED: With 2024 presidential contest looming, Georgia governor signs new election changes into law
SB189: Outlining voter roll challenges
Anyone in Georgia can challenge a person's voter registration - SB189 just outlines new circumstances that can kick someone off the roll.
If a Georgia citizen believes a voter:
- Is casting a ballot where they no longer live
- Is using a non-residential address, like an office
- The voter is actually deceased
- Doesn't live in the area because tax exemptions prove their primary residence is somewhere else
They can flag this registration to election officials, effectively challenging whether a voter can actually cast a ballot using the registered address.
RELATED: In Georgia, conservatives seek to have voters removed from rolls without official challenges
HB974: Ballot security measures
Thanks to HB974, ballots will have watermarks. This is a security feature that voting systems will use to help verify ballots.
This law is essentially part of a new ballot auditing program that Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has asked the Georgia General Assembly to fund. This law might be slower to roll out, as the state's top election official said that the audit system must be tested, and counties will be going through several upgrades.
The goal is to help make Georgia "the first state in the nation to do a post-election audit using optical recognition. It also allows the review to be done on every ballot and every contest from President to County Surveyor," according to a news release from the Office of the Secretary of State.
Watch the videos in the YouTube playlist below so you're caught up on what you need to know before you head to the polls:
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