On last Saturday’s Election Integrity Update, we heard VoterGA's legislative update and Garland discussed the advantages of hand-marked paper ballots, the advantages of publically recorded hand counts, and banning ERIC.  In addition, Dr. Rick Richards reviewed his astounding findings on votes cast for ineligible voter registrations in the 2024 election. 

The Senate Ethics Committee scheduled a hearing of a substitute to HB397 on Tuesday, March 25th at 1 p.m. in 307 of the Coverdell Office Building.  The substitute bill may contain provisions for: 

1. Hand-marked paper ballots, 
   
2. Banning ERIC to protect the personal information of voters and drivers from being disclosed to third parties, 
3. Grants of more authority for the State Election Board to ensure the integrity of our elections, 
4. Possibly even hand-counting ballots to ensure the security and integrity of the vote count. 

We are asking everyone to show up for this meeting and please feel free to wear your VoterGA gear in support of HB397. We will know which provisions will be included in the bill on Tuesday. If you choose to speak, we have included positive, non-partisan talking points that you can click on for Hand Marked Paper Ballots, Hand Counting, and Banning ERIC.  

The House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee is scheduled to hear SB244 for recovery of attorney fees and costs in case of prosecutorial misconduct on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.  Click to ask Chairman Tyler Paul Smith to call for a vote on SB244. 

Use the link below to view the March 22nd Election Integrity Update if you missed it. The recording is available 14 days after the meeting. 

On last Saturday’s Election Integrity Update, VoterGA presented their legislative proposals and legislative update. State Election Board Member Jan Johnston will present on the SEB budget at the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 18th at 7:30 am in 307 CLOB. Also, the following bills are scheduled to be heard this week: 

SB244 – House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee – March 18th at 9:30 am in 132 CAP. 
SB12 – House Governmental Affairs Committee – March 18th at 2:00 pm in 415 CLOB. 
SB175 – House Governmental Affairs Committee – March 18th at 3:00 pm in 415 CLOB. 
SB199 – House Governmental Affairs Committee – March 18th at 3:00 pm in 415 CLOB.
HB113 – Senate Government Oversight Committee – March 18th at 5:00 pm in 307 CLOB. 
SB177 – House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee – March 19th at 2:00 pm in 406 CLOB. 
Check the Legislative Assembly Schedule for last-minute changes. 

Jason Frazier briefed us about Wednesday’s hearing at the Georgia House Governmental Affairs Committee where Jason (click here for slides), Mark Davis, and Rick Richards presented various issues with the list of eligible Georgia voters. And Laura Scharr from South Carolina Safe Elections informed us about Congressman Pete Sessions’ proposed Make Elections Secure Act. 

Use the link below to view the March 15th Election Integrity Update if you missed it. The recording is available 14 days after the meeting. 

On last Saturday’s Tele-town Hall, we presented an overview of where this year’s proposed legislation stands after Crossover Day.  VoterGA reported on all the election integrity and accountability legislation that crossed over this legislative session. 

David DeLugas from ParentsUSA told us about SB 110 to redefine neglect in the juvenile code and their strategy for new laws for parental rights., ParentsUSA is working to amend SB 110 with language from the Brittney Patterson Act (HB 552). DeLugas provided responses to legislators’ questions regarding opposition to HB 552. 

Wes Fuller and Nathaniel Darnell gave an update on the Georgia Pre-Natal Equal-Protection Act (HB 441) and the Christians for the Preborn: A Rally for Equal Justice and Protection rally on Monday, March 3rd lobbying to protect all life. 

We also heard from attorney Catherine Bernard with an update on Senator Colton Moore’s March 7th arrest warrant hearing against Keith Williams. Williams is Speaker Burns’ legal counsel who committed assault against Senator Moore while preventing him from entering the House Chamber after he was banned from the Joint Session back in January. Because of the lively dialog, we had an Overtime segment where meeting participants collaborated with Bernard on how they could help advance justice for Senator Moore.  

Use the link below to view the March 8th Statewide Tele-Town Hall if you missed it.  The recording will be available for 14 days after the call.