HB 831: Elections; make certain registration information confidential; expand provisions

Georgia law already lets voters with certain protective orders or family violence shelter residents ask a county board of registrars to keep their address confidential. This bill expands that system by creating a new Secretary of State program called VoteSafe. Electors who believe disclosing their address would put them at risk of harm, or who have been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, could apply for certification even without a court order, as long as they submit an affidavit and a letter from a victim service provider. Certified participants get an address confidentiality card, a substitute designated address for public use, and protection of their real address from Georgia's open records law (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70). Certification lasts four years and can be renewed. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to train application assistants and local election officials, and it bars registered sex offenders from joining the program.

• Creates the VoteSafe program in the Secretary of State's office allowing certain at-risk electors to keep their voter registration address confidential without a court order.
• Lets electors apply using an affidavit stating they face increased risk of harm or have been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, plus a letter from a victim service provider.
• Issues certified participants an address confidentiality card and a substitute 'designated address' to use publicly instead of their real address.
• Sets certification at four years with a renewal process, and requires participants to update changed information within 30 days.
• Exempts VoteSafe applications and confidential addresses from disclosure under Georgia's open records law (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70).
• Bars anyone required to register as a sex offender under O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12 from joining the program and requires training for application assistants and local election officials.

Georgia voters who fear physical harm or have been victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; county boards of registrars and election superintendents; the Secretary of State's office; the Department of Driver Services; and nonprofit or government victim-services workers who act as application assistants.

People fleeing abusive situations often avoid registering to vote because their home address becomes part of a public record. This bill would let them vote while shielding their real address from public disclosure, potentially reducing a barrier that currently discourages at-risk Georgians from participating in elections.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 21-2-225.1 to add VoteSafe certification and an address confidentiality card as new ways to qualify for confidential voter registration addresses.
• Section 2 creates O.C.G.A. § 21-2-225.2, establishing the VoteSafe program, its application requirements, and the four-year certification and renewal periods.
• Under new § 21-2-225.2(d), applicants must provide their legal name, date of birth, current or intended voting address, contact information, and a letter from a victim service provider.
• New § 21-2-225.2(h) and (j) make VoteSafe applications and confidential addresses exempt from Georgia's Open Records Act (Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50).
• New § 21-2-225.2(i) bars registered sex offenders under O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12 from becoming program participants.
• New § 21-2-225.2(m) directs the office to let applicants apply through the Department of Driver Services or through county boards of registrars during voter registration.
• Section 2 also creates O.C.G.A. § 21-2-225.3, requiring the Secretary of State to train application assistants and local election officials on domestic violence issues and the VoteSafe process.

1. 2025-03-28House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-03-27House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-03-25House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-096)Patrocinador principal
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-074)
• Segun Adeyina (D, HD-110)

• voter registration
• domestic violence protections
• election law
• address confidentiality
• open records exemptions