GEORGIA’S ELECTION INTEGRITY ACT OF 2021

Here’s the truth about the Election Integrity Act of 2021:

EXPANDED ACCESS

Georgia has one of the most open and accessible voting systems in the United States, and the Election Integrity Act actually expands voters' access to the ballot box.

DROP BOXES

The Election Integrity Act codifies ballot drop boxes for the first time, creates a uniform system for their implementation, and ensures that they are secure.

UNIFORMITY

Changes to elections during the pandemic created widespread confusion, distrust, and poorly implemented changes that lacked uniformity. Georgia's Election Integrity Act of 2021 provides uniformity and transparency in its implementation across all 159 counties.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

The Election Integrity Act strengthens the integrity of absentee ballots by preventing mass mail-outs of absentee ballot requests and prohibiting outside groups from filling out applications for voters.

It also replaces the subjective signature verification process with the requirement for valid identification.

OUT-OF-PRECINCT VOTING

The Election Integrity Act limits the use of provisional ballots for out-of-precinct voters and instead requires these voters be directed to their correct precinct. This process cuts down on excessive provisional ballots, delays, and inaccuracies in election reporting.

The Actual SB202 bill:

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59827

Specifics:

- Increases weekend voting requiring 2 early voting days with 2 additional optional days

- Counties must keep their wait times low

- Poll officers may work in adjoining county if needed

- Provides protections for ballot box security

- Uses driver’s license or free voter ID number match for an absentee ballot

- Expands poll watching

- Allows for drop boxes which would go away after Covid-19 emergency order

- Increased access for poll watchers

- Ballots must be printed on secure voting paper

- State must use interstate voting registration system

- Requires reporting of total number of votes at the close of polls

- Allows counties to begin counting absentee ballots earlier for quicker results

- Changes in a polling location must be posted clearly and in advance

- Creates checks and balances for emergency rules

- Allows for water stations at all polling locations

- Creation of bipartisan duplication panels to assure ballot integrity

- The State Election Board may fix chronically poor performing county elections 

- Only registered electors are allowed to vote in a runoff election

- Attorney General can establish a hotline for complaints/allegations 

- Updates absentee ballot application deadlines to better accommodate counties