---
title: O.C.G.A. § 21-2-373. Write-in votes; secrecy.
collection: code
id: 21-2-373
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 21-2-373 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/21-2-373
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/21-2-373.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/21-2-373/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t21-(v18)-2023-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=868a5c43_0#page=365
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: ELECTIONS / ELECTIONS AND PRIMARIES GENERALLY / VOTING MACHINES AND VOTE RECORDERS GENERALLY / OPTICAL SCANNING VOTING SYSTEMS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 21-2-373. Write-in votes; secrecy.

In elections, electors shall be permitted to cast write-in votes. The design of the ballot shall permit the superintendents, in counting the write-in votes, to determine readily whether an elector has cast any write-in vote not authorized by law. The Secretary of State, in specifying the form of the ballot, and the State Election Board, in promulgating rules and regulations respecting the conduct of elections, shall provide for ballot secrecy in connection with write-in votes.

## History

Code 1981, § 21-2-373, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1231, § 37; Ga. L. 1999, p. 29, § 1.

## Cross References

Exceptions to right to register and vote, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. II, Sec. I, Para. III.

Procedure as to count and return of votes, § 21-2-437.

## Law Reviews

For note, “Georgia’s Runoff Election System Has Run Its Course,” see 54 Ga. L. Rev. 1063 (2020).

## Administrative Rules and Regulations

Ballot secrecy, Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, Georgia Election Code, Ballots, § 183-1-11-.01.