Georgia Senators voted along party lines to advance sweeping election overhaul legislation after Republican lawmakers revived a previously stalled proposal by replacing the contents of HB 960 with new election rules.
If enacted, the legislation would eliminate Georgia’s current electronic Ballot Marking Devices in favor of hand-marked paper ballots for future elections. Voters would fill out ballots by hand, with machines used only to tabulate results, and mandatory hand counts would begin two days after polls close.
The bill also reshapes election authority in the state by removing the Secretary of State’s role in overseeing election challenges and recounts, transferring that responsibility solely to the State Election Board.
The legislation now returns to the House for further consideration.
