Senate Bill 531
By: Senators Jones II of the 22nd, Parent of the 44th, Halpern of the 39th, Anderson of the
43rd, Davenport of the 17th and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Code Section 21-2-216 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
qualifications of electors generally, reregistration of electors purged from list, eligibility of
nonresidents who vote in presidential elections, retention of qualification for standing as
elector, evidence of citizenship, and check of convicted felons and deceased persons
databases, so as to provide that convictions for offenses involving the purchase, possession,
or control of certain controlled substances shall not prevent persons from registering,
remaining registered, or voting; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to
provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Code Section 21-2-216 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualifications
of electors generally, reregistration of electors purged from list, eligibility of nonresidents
who vote in presidential elections, retention of qualification for standing as elector, evidence
of citizenship, and check of convicted felons and deceased persons databases, is amended by
revising subsection (b) as follows:
"(b)(1) <ins>As used in this subsection, the term 'felony involving moral turpitude' shall not
include any offense resulting from a violation of subsection (a) or paragraph (1) of
subsection (j) of Code Section 16-13-30, relating to purchase, possession, manufacture,
distribution, or sale of controlled substances or marijuana.
(2)</ins> In addition to the qualifications in subsection (a) of this Code section, no person who
has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude may register, remain registered,
or vote except upon completion of the sentence and no person who has been judicially
determined to be mentally incompetent may register, remain registered, or vote unless the
disability has been removed."
SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027.
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.