HB324: HB324 Elections; preferential treatment during advance voting and during certain hours on election day to certain voters; provisions

25 LC 47 3464S The House Committee on Governmental Affairs offers the following substitute to HB 324: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 primaries and elections generally, so as to provide for preferential treatment during advance2 voting and during certain hours on election day to voters who a re blind, deaf, an amputee,3 pregnant, accompanied by children of two years of age or younge r, or accompanied by4 children with special needs regardless of age; to provide for r elated matters; to repeal5 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to primaries and9 elections generally, is amended by revising Code Section 21-2-385.1, relating to preferential10 treatment for older and disabled voters, as follows:11 "21-2-385.1.12 During the period of advance voting established pursuant to sub section (d) of Code13 Section 21-2-385, each elector who is 75 years of age or older, blind, deaf, an amputee,14 pregnant, accompanied by one or more children of two years of a ge or younger,15 accompanied by one or more children with special needs regardle ss of the age of such16 H. B. 324 (SUB) - 1 - 25 LC 47 3464S child, or who is disabled and requires assistance in casting an absentee ballot in person at17 the registrar's office, absentee ballot clerk's office, or othe r locations as provided for in18 Code Section 21-2-382 shall, upon request to a designated office employee or other19 individual, be authorized to vote immediately at the next available voting compartment or20 booth without having to wait in line if such location utilizes direct recording electronic21 voting systems or be authorized to go to the head of any line n ecessary to cast a written22 absentee ballot. Notice of the provisions of this Code section shall be prominently23 displayed in the registrar's office or absentee ballot clerk's office."24 SECTION 2.25 Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 21-2-409.1, relating to voting by26 electors who are 75 years of age or older or disabled electors without having to wait in line,27 as follows:28 "21-2-409.1.29 On election day between the hours of 9:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., e ach elector who is 7530 years of age or older, blind, deaf, an amputee, pregnant, accom panied by one or more31 children of two years of age or younger, accompanied by one or more children with special32 needs regardless of the age of such child, or who is disabled and requires assistance in33 voting as authorized by Code Section 21-2-409, shall, upon request to a poll officer, be34 authorized at any primary or election to vote immediately at th e next available voting35 compartment or booth without having to wait in line. Notice of the provisions of this Code36 section shall be prominently displayed in the voting place."37 SECTION 3.38 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.39 H. B. 324 (SUB) - 2 -