SR937: SR937 U.S. Department of Homeland Security and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement; refrain from immigration enforcement activity in the immediate vicinity of polling places and locations; urge

26 LC 112 3842 Senate Resolution 937 By: Senators Howard of the 35th, Jackson of the 41st, Rahman of the 5th, Harbison of the 15th, Harrell of the 40th and others A RESOLUTION Urging the United States Department of Homeland Security and United States Immigration1 and Customs Enforcement to refrain from immigration enforcement activity in the immediate2 vicinity of polling places and locations where ballots are being cast in the State of Georgia;3 urging the Secretary of State to issue uniform guidance and protocols to protect voters, poll4 workers, and election officials from intimidation; and for other purposes.5 WHEREAS, the right to vote is a fundamental right secured by th e constitutions of the6 United States and the State of Georgia; and7 WHEREAS, Georgia law establishes a protected buffer around polling places during voting,8 including restrictions within 150 feet of the outer edge of any building in which a polling9 place is established and within 25 feet of any voter standing i n line, reflecting the General10 Assembly's intent that voting occur free of disruption, pressure, and undue influence; and11 WHEREAS, Georgia law further provides criminal penalties for interference with elections12 and for intimidation of electors, including when any person use s threats or acts that place13 another person in reasonable fear for safety in order to vote or refrain from voting; and14 S. R. 937 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3842 WHEREAS, credible concerns have been raised nationally that the presence of federal15 immigration enforcement personnel at or near voting locations c ould chill lawful voter16 participation, disrupt election administration, and intimidate voters and election workers; and17 WHEREAS, other states have introduced legislation to prohibit f ederal immigration18 enforcement personnel from being within a specified distance of polling places during19 voting—for example, Rhode Island's H 7434 would prohibit ICE personnel within 200 feet20 of polling places.21 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body22 urge the United States Department of Homeland Security and United States Immigration and23 Customs Enforcement as well as state or local law enforcement a gencies to refrain from24 immigration enforcement actions, operations, surveillance activities, or deployments within25 the same protected vicinity recognized in Georgia law during any period in which ballots are26 being cast, including within 150 f eet of the outer edge of any building in which a polling27 place is established, within any polling place, and within 25 feet of any voter standing in line28 to vote.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body urge the Secretary of State of30 Georgia to issue uniform state wide guidance to county election superintendents, poll31 managers, and election officials that reiterates Georgia's exis ting protections against32 intimidation and interference; establishes a protocol for respo nding to the appearance of33 federal immigration enforcement personnel near a voting locatio n (including immediate34 notification of the county superintendent and the Secretary of State's office, de-escalation35 steps, and documentation); and emphasizes that voter eligibilit y questions and challenges36 must be handled only through lawful election procedures and not through intimidation or37 coercion.38 S. R. 937 - 2 - 26 LC 112 3842 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed39 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the Governor, the40 Attorney General, the Secretary of State, the Georgia Congressi onal Delegation, and the41 Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security.42 S. R. 937 - 3 -