SB 353: Open and Public Meetings; county or joint boards of election or boards of election and registration to conduct meetings via teleconference; authorize

Georgia's open meetings law (O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1) currently lists a specific set of government bodies, such as development authorities, community improvement districts, hospital authorities, and large retirement system boards, that are allowed to hold their meetings by teleconference. County or joint boards of election and boards of election and registration are not on that list. This bill adds those election boards to the list of bodies authorized to meet by teleconference. As with the other listed bodies, any teleconference meeting must still meet the law's notice requirements, and if fewer than a quorum of members are physically present, the board must give the public a way to access the meeting at the same time it happens. The bill repeals any conflicting laws and does not state a delayed effective date.

• Adds county or joint boards of election and boards of election and registration to the list of government bodies allowed to meet by teleconference under Georgia's open meetings law.
• Requires that any teleconference meeting by these election boards still meet the standard public notice requirements in the open meetings law.
• Requires that when fewer than a quorum of board members are physically present, the public must be given simultaneous access to the teleconference meeting.
• Confirms that members participating by teleconference count as fully participating, the same as if they were physically present.

County and joint boards of election and boards of election and registration across Georgia, the election officials who serve on them, and members of the public who attend or watch these boards' meetings to observe decisions about elections and voter registration.

If enacted, county election boards could conduct official business, such as certifying results or setting procedures, over teleconference rather than requiring members to gather in person, as long as the public can still watch or listen at the same time the meeting happens.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1(h)(1) by adding a new subparagraph (E) authorizing county or joint boards of election or boards of election and registration, established under O.C.G.A. §§ 21-2-40 or 21-2-40.1, to meet by teleconference.
• Section 1 keeps existing rules requiring public notice and simultaneous public access when fewer than a quorum is physically present at a teleconference meeting.
• Section 1 keeps the existing rule that teleconference participation by board members counts as full participation, same as being physically present.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision.

1. 2025-03-25Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-21Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)Primary sponsor
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-41)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-44)

• open meetings law
• election administration
• county boards of election
• government transparency