Rep. McLeod Introduces Legislation To Change Georgia Voting

ATLANTA – State Representative Donna McLeod (D-Lawrenceville) recently introduced House Bills 210, 211 and 222, three pieces of legislation that would revise current voting laws in Georgia.

“Protecting our citizens’ right to participate in the election process is a fundamental part of our country’s foundation,” said McLeod. “I am proud that my first pieces of legislation of the 2019 legislative session would ensure that all eligible voters have access to the ballot box.”

House Bill 210 would allow for a polling place to remain open later if the opening time is delayed. The amount of time that it will remain open will be equal to the time that the opening was delayed.

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House Bill 211 would broaden the identification requirements for voting by adding a college or university student identification card to the list of acceptable forms of identification for voting.

House Bill 222 would change the notice of candidacy filing date for nonpartisan elections from the eleventh week prior to the election to the thirty-fifth week prior to the election. The bill moves the election date for nonpartisan elections from the general primary to the general election in even-numbered years.

Rep. McLeod’s other legislative priorities include: working to update voter information on the My Voter Page through the Secretary of State’s office; exploring new policies with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision that would ensure all ex-felons are informed of their eligibility to vote after they have served their time; and discussing voter liaison assistance for residents of long-term care and personal homes.

House Bills 210, 211 and 222 have been assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee for consideration.

For more information about HB 210, click here. For more information on HB 211, please click here. For more information on HB 222, click here.

Representative Donna McLeod represents the citizens of District 105, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Human Relations & Aging, Interstate Cooperation and Science & Technology committees.

Photo courtesy Georgia House of Representatives