SB514: SB514 Primaries and Elections; use of ballot drop boxes; eliminate authorization

26 LC 47 4006 Senate Bill 514 By: Senators Bearden of the 30th, Williams of the 25th, Robertson of the 29th, Dolezal of the 27th, Brass of the 6th and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 primaries and elections generally, so as to eliminate authorization for the use of ballot drop2 boxes; to revise provisions relating to dates for certain special elections related to sales and3 use taxes; to provide for 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 primaries and7 elections generally, is amended by repealing subsection (c) of Code Section 21-2-382,8 relating to additional buildings as additional registrar's offi ce or place of registration for9 receiving absentee ballots and for advance voting and drop boxes.10 SECTION 2.11 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 21-2-540, relat ing to conduct of special12 primaries and special elections generally, by revising subsection (c) as follows:13 "(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a special primary or14 special election to fill a vacancy in a county or municipal office shall be held only on one15 S. B. 514 - 1 - 26 LC 47 4006 of the following dates which is at least 29 days after the date of the call for the special16 election:17 (A) In odd-numbered years, any such special primary or special election shall only be18 held on:19 (i) The third Tuesday in March;20 (ii) The third Tuesday in June;21 (iii) The third Tuesday in September; or22 (iv) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November; and23 (B) In even-numbered years, any such special primary or special election shall only be24 held on:25 (i) The third Tuesday in March; provided, however, that in the event that a special26 primary or special election is to be held under this provision in a year in which a27 presidential preference primary is to be held, then any such special primary or special28 election shall be held on the date of and in conjunction with t he presidential29 preference primary;30 (ii) The date of the general primary; or31 (iii) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November;32 provided, however, that, in the event that a special primary or special election to fill a33 federal or state office on a date other than the dates provided in this paragraph has been34 scheduled and it is possible to hold a special primary or special election to fill a vacancy35 in a county, municipal, or school board office in conjunction with such special primary36 or special election to fill a federal or state office, the special primary or special election37 to fill such county, municipal, or school board office may be held on the date of and in38 conjunction with such special primary or special election to fi ll such federal or state39 office, provided all other provisions of law regarding such pri maries and elections are40 met.41 S. B. 514 - 2 - 26 LC 47 4006 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary , a special election to42 present a question to the voters shall be held only on one of the following dates which is43 at least 29 days after the date of the call for the special election:44 (A) In odd-numbered years, any such special election shall onl y be held on the third45 Tuesday in March or on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November; and46 (B) In even-numbered years, any such special election shall only be held on:47 (i) The date of and in conjunction with the presidential preference primary if one is48 held that year;49 (ii) The third Tuesday in March; provided, however, that such special election shall50 occur prior to July 1, 2024, and present a question to the voters on sales and use taxes51 authorized by Articles 5, 5A, and 5B of Chapter 8 of Title 48;52 (iii)(ii) The date of the general primary; or53 (iv)(iii) The Tuesday after the first Monday in November.54 (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no special election shall55 present a question to the voters on sales and use taxes authorized by Articles 2, 2A, 3, 4,56 5, 5A, and 5B of Chapter 8 of Title 48, except on the Tuesday after the first Monday in57 November in even numbered years.58 (3)(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to:59 (A) Special elections held pursuant to Chapter 4 of this title, the 'Recall Act of 1989,'60 to recall a public officer or to fill a vacancy in a public off ice caused by a recall61 election; and62 (B) Special primaries or special elections to fill vacancies i n federal or state public63 offices."64 SECTION 3.65 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.66 S. B. 514 - 3 -