--- title: HB 865. Elections; superintendents post notices whenever their offices are closed due to a declared state of emergency; provide collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hb865 cite_as: HB 865, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb865 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb865.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb865/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71710 date: 2025-03-28 status: introduced corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb864.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb866.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 129 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb865.md?full=1 bill_number: HB 865 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: bill status_date: 2025-03-25 last_action: House Second Readers sponsors: - Omari Crawford - Saira Draper - Inga Willis - Mary Oliver - Phil Olaleye text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB865/2025 upstream_id: 2014713 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - election administration - state of emergency - public notice requirements - local government --- # HB 865. Elections; superintendents post notices whenever their offices are closed due to a declared state of emergency; provide ## Text 25 LC 47 3682 House Bill 865 By: Representatives Crawford of the 89th, Draper of the 90th, Willis of the 55th, Oliver of the 84th, and Olaleye of the 59th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 elections and primaries generally, so as to provide that local election superintendents post2 notices whenever their offices are closed due to a declared state of emergency; to provide for3 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated , relating to elections and7 primaries generally, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:8 "21-2-79.9 In the event that the office of a local election superintendent is closed as a result of a10 declared state of emergency, such superintendent shall as soon as possible post notice of11 such closure on the website maintained by the county, or municipality in the event of the12 closure of a municipal superintendent's office, and by posting visible signage on the door13 giving notice of the closure to the public and providing detail s relevant to the closure,14 including, but not limited to, when the office will be reopened and how to contact the office15 staff during the closure, if applicable."16 H. B. 865 - 1 - 25 LC 47 3682 SECTION 2.17 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.18 H. B. 865 - 2 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House bill would require county and municipal election superintendents to post public notice whenever their offices close because of a declared state of emergency. ### Plain-language summary Currently, Georgia law does not specifically require local election offices to notify the public when they close due to an emergency like a hurricane or other declared disaster. This bill would add a new section to Georgia's election code requiring local election superintendents, whether at the county or municipal level, to post notice as soon as possible whenever their office closes because of a declared state of emergency. The notice would have to appear both on the relevant county or municipal website and as visible signage on the office door. The posted notice would need to include details such as when the office is expected to reopen and how the public can contact office staff during the closure, if that information is available. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not list a separate effective date beyond standard enactment. ### What it does - Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. ยง 21-2-79) requiring local election superintendents to post notice when their office closes due to a declared state of emergency. - Requires the closure notice to be posted on the county or municipal website as soon as possible after the closure occurs. - Requires visible signage on the office door explaining the closure to anyone who shows up in person. - Requires the notice to include when the office will reopen and how to contact staff during the closure, if that information is available. ### Who it affects County and municipal election superintendents, who run local elections and would have new posting duties, and Georgia voters and candidates who rely on being able to reach election offices, especially during emergencies like storms or other declared disasters. ### Why it matters During a declared emergency, voters, candidates, and campaign workers sometimes need to reach a local election office to register, request a ballot, or resolve a problem. This bill would ensure they can find out quickly, online or at the door, whether the office is closed and how to get help. ### Key provisions - Section 1 adds new Code section 21-2-79 to Chapter 2 of Title 21, covering elections and primaries generally. - The new section applies whenever a local election superintendent's office closes due to a declared state of emergency, whether at the county or municipal level. - Notice must be posted on the applicable county or municipal website and as visible signage on the office door. - The notice must include reopening information and contact details for office staff during the closure, if applicable. - Section 2 repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new requirement. ## Status - Status: Introduced (2025-03-25) - Last action: House Second Readers (2025-03-28) - Sponsors: Omari Crawford, Saira Draper, Inga Willis, Mary Oliver, Phil Olaleye - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71710 > The history, votes, and amendments (129 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb865.md?full=1