ATLANTA — Several election bills are part of the State Capitol drama as the final day of the legislative session approaches Thursday.
HB 1207 would give election supervisors leeway to change the number of voting booths in precincts. Current state law requires one booth “for each 250 voters therein or fraction thereof.” But if turnout was heavy during early voting, an election superintendent could lower or raise the number of booths on Election Day. Republican Sen. Max Burns (R-Sylvania) told
senators it gives local election workers flexibility.
"This came from election officials in both Democratic counties and Republican counties. They asked to have this latitude," Burns said.
But critics said the bill could mean understaffed precincts, longer lines and perhaps some voter suppression.
"People have the right to vote when they want to vote and in what election they want to vote in. And you should just be prepared if all those folks show up because you don’t know if they’re coming or if they’re not," said Sen. Derek Mallow (D-Savannah).
The same bill would give greater latitude to poll watchers – whose numbers have grown since the rise of mostly debunked allegations of election and vote counting shenanigans.
Senator Mallow said he’s not a big fan of poll watchers.
"I don’t need those folks that close to me to hear my business! Because these poll watchers do act like they’re top flight security, like they are the high sheriff on elections," Mallow said.
"Both parties have poll watchers! Both parties!" said Burns.
That election bill passed the Senate late Tuesday. But because the Senate added some goodies to the House bill – it would have to join the long list of bills on the House calendar on the session’s last day Thursday.