HB 865: Elections; superintendents post notices whenever their offices are closed due to a declared state of emergency; provide

Georgia law currently does not specifically require election offices to notify the public when they close during an emergency. This bill adds a new section to Georgia's elections code (O.C.G.A. Title 21, Chapter 2) requiring county and municipal election superintendents to post notice as soon as possible if their office closes because of a declared state of emergency. The notice would have to appear both on the county or municipal government website and as visible signage on the office door. It must include details such as when the office is expected to reopen and, if applicable, how the public can reach office staff during the closure. The bill does not set a specific effective date beyond standard enactment, and it repeals any conflicting laws.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-79) requiring local election superintendents to post notice when their office closes due to a declared state of emergency.
• Requires the notice to be posted both online, on the relevant county or municipal government website, and physically, as visible signage on the office door.
• Requires the notice to include when the office will reopen and, if applicable, how to contact staff during the closure.
• Applies to both county election superintendents and municipal election superintendents whose offices close for this reason.

County and municipal election superintendents, who would have new posting duties, and Georgia voters and the general public, who would gain a guaranteed way to find out when a local election office is closed and how to reach it during an emergency.

When an election office closes unexpectedly during an emergency, voters and candidates may not know whether the office is still handling registration, absentee ballots, or other business. This bill would give the public a reliable, standardized way to find that information during a closure.

• Section 1 adds new Code section 21-2-79 to Chapter 2 of Title 21, covering elections and primaries generally.
• The new section applies when a local election superintendent's office closes as a result of a declared state of emergency.
• The superintendent must post notice 'as soon as possible' on the county or municipal website and via visible signage on the office door.
• Notice must include, at minimum, when the office will reopen and how to contact staff during the closure, if applicable.
• Section 2 repeals any laws that conflict with the new requirement.

1. 2025-03-28House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-25House Hopper (House)

• Omari Crawford (D, HD-89)Primary sponsor
• Saira Draper (D, HD-90)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-55)
• Mary Margaret Oliver (D, HD-84)
• Phil Olaleye (D, HD-59)

• election administration
• state of emergency
• local government transparency
• voter access