SB531: SB531 Electors; convictions for offenses involving the purchase, possession, or control of certain controlled substances shall not prevent persons from registering, remaining registered, or voting; provide

26 LC 49 2688 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 to1 qualifications of electors generally, reregistration of electors purged from list, eligibility of2 nonresidents who vote in presidential elections, retention of q ualification for standing as3 elector, evidence of citizenship, and check of convicted felons and deceased persons4 databases, so as to provide that convictions for offenses involving the purchase, possession,5 or control of certain controlled substances shall not prevent p ersons from registering,6 remaining registered, or voting; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to7 provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 SECTION 1.10 Code Section 21-2-216 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualifications11 of electors generally, reregistration of electors purged from l ist, eligibility of nonresidents12 who vote in presidential elections, retention of qualification for standing as elector, evidence13 of citizenship, and check of convicted felons and deceased persons databases, is amended by14 revising subsection (b) as follows:15 S. B. 531 - 1 - 26 LC 49 2688 "(b)(1) As used in this subsection, the term 'felony involving moral turpitude' shall not16 include any offense resulting from a violation of subsection (a ) or paragraph (1) of17 subsection (j) of Code Section 16-13-30, relating to purchase, possession, manufacture,18 distribution, or sale of controlled substances or marijuana.19 (2) In addition to the qualifications in subsection (a) of this Code section, no person who20 has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude may register, remain registered,21 or vote except upon completion of the sentence and no person wh o has been judicially22 determined to be mentally incompetent may register, remain registered, or vote unless the23 disability has been removed."24 SECTION 2.25 This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027.26 SECTION 3.27 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.28 S. B. 531 - 2 -