ATLANTA —
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp is asking state legislators to adopt several recommendations outlined in a report from a panel of election officials that he says will save money and streamline the voting process for state and local governments.
Among the recommendations offered in the Elections Advisory Council’s final report issued Monday are amending the process for independent and political body candidates to quality for placement on the ballot; creating a secure electronic voter registration system; eliminating the September special election date to fill county or municipal office vacancies in even-numbered years; and allowing county election offices to use electronic record-keeping technology for voter registration.
Kemp recommended a legislative study committee to consider issues including whether the state should change its election victory standard to a majority wins rule. He also suggested the creation of an election board rules review committee that would consider such issues as revising state election law regarding residency and where voters are required to cast their ballots.
The council conducted meetings in Atlanta, Savannah, Albany and Augusta and gathered input from the public, organizations, county election directors and elected officials.
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