HB 901: Elections; superintendent may permit any elector of the county to vote in any precinct of the county which such elector chooses under certain conditions; provide

Currently, Georgia voters generally must vote at the specific precinct assigned to their home address. This bill would add a new section to Georgia election law (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-422) letting a county's election superintendent decide to let any elector in the county vote at whichever precinct they choose, in a primary, election, or runoff. Before making that choice, the superintendent would have to confirm safeguards exist against double voting, that each precinct has enough ballots of every style used in the county, enough voting machines or ballot marking devices, and enough poll workers to handle a variable turnout. The superintendent would have to decide at least 30 days before the primary or election, notify the Secretary of State in writing by that deadline, post notices at the election office and polling places, and advertise the decision in the county's legal organ (its official newspaper) for two weeks before the vote. A decision for a primary or election would automatically carry over to any runoff. The State Election Board would be authorized to write rules to implement the new option.

• Adds a new Code section allowing a county election superintendent to let electors vote at any precinct in the county instead of their assigned precinct.
• Requires the superintendent to verify safeguards against double voting before allowing countywide precinct choice.
• Requires each precinct to stock enough ballots, voting machines or ballot marking devices, and poll workers for potentially more voters than usual.
• Requires 30 days' advance notice to the Secretary of State and public notice through postings and newspaper ads before the change takes effect.
• Applies any such decision automatically to runoffs following the affected primary or election.
• Authorizes the State Election Board to create rules and regulations implementing the option.

County election superintendents, who gain new discretion and new administrative duties; county voters, who could gain flexibility in where they cast ballots; poll workers and county election staff, who would need to manage ballot supplies and staffing across precincts; and the Secretary of State and State Election Board, who receive notice and rulemaking roles.

If adopted by a county, voters could cast a ballot at any precinct in the county rather than being tied to one assigned location, which could make voting more convenient, especially for people who are away from their home precinct on election day. Counties would also face new planning and notification requirements to prevent double voting and ensure enough resources at each site.

• New Code section 21-2-422(a) lets a county election superintendent permit electors to vote at any precinct in the county in a primary, election, or runoff.
• Subsection (b) requires the superintendent to confirm safeguards against duplicate voting, adequate ballot supplies, sufficient voting equipment, and enough poll workers before implementing the option.
• Subsection (c) sets a 30-day advance notice requirement to the Secretary of State and requires public notice through postings and two weeks of newspaper advertising before the primary or election.
• Subsection (c) also specifies that a decision made for a primary or election automatically extends to any resulting runoff.
• Subsection (d) authorizes the State Election Board to issue rules and regulations to carry out the new option.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-01-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-04-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Hopper (House)

• Doreen Carter (D, HD-093)Primary sponsor
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)

• election rules
• voting precincts
• election administration
• Georgia elections