Georgia Election Bill Revamped Amid Controversy, Nears Senate Vote

Georgia lawmakers have revised House Bill 397, retracting controversial provisions that would have allowed a state board aligned with Donald Trump to strike voters from the rolls and mandated hand counting of ballots. The bill still seeks to remove the state from the Electronic Records Information Center but has postponed this requirement until mid-2027, allowing more time for transition. Following backlash from election officials, Rep. Tim Fleming acknowledged the need for further work on the bill, which still includes several contentious rule changes. Critics have raised concerns about the bill's potential to limit voters' access to absentee ballot drop-offs and questioned the fairness of the proposed appeals process for challenged voters. The revised legislation is set for further debate in the full Senate. This evolution in Georgia's election laws reflects ongoing tensions surrounding voter access and election integrity.