1. On Monday, 3/29/21 Susannah Scott, LWVGA President, conducted a state wide presentation for local Leagues on SB 202 - Election Integrity Act 2021–the recently passed and signed law of changing Georgia election laws. Unfortunately, it wasn’t recorded for watching later. There are 53 Sections detailing the new laws. The bill passed along party lines with middle Georgia Legislators voting as follows:
| Senate | John Kennedy | Yes | |
| David Lucas | No | ||
| House | Mariam Paris | Macon | No |
| James Beverly | Macon | No | |
| Dale Washburn | Macon | Yes | |
| Robert Dicky | Musella | Yes | |
| Shaw Blackmon | Bonaire | Yes | |
| Danny Mathis | Cochran | Yes | |
| Dick Williams | Milledgeville | Yes | |
| Heath Clark | Warner Robins | Yes | |
| Matt Hatchett | Dublin | Yes | |
| Dale Washburn | Macon | Yes | |
House voted 100 - 74
Senate voted 34 - 20
The LWVGA, along with 3-4 other voting rights organizations have filed suit asking for an injunction to implementation with the North District Court. At least two other organizations have also filed suits.
2. The County Commissioners want to get input from new Board of Election members before appointing new MAL. Mike Kaplin will continue to serve until appointment made. If he isn’t reappointed, Herb Spangler will be only experienced member serving. Democratic party appointed Karen Evans-Daniels and Darius Maynard and Republican party appointed Joel Harris and Herb Spangler.
3. We are having 1000 post cards printed. Redistricting starts in the fall and we will have a writing campaign pushing for fair, transparent, non-gerrymandered districts drawn. If the Federal Government passes the (Fair Elections bill ?) it calls for a non-partisan group to draw the lines. Since Georgia doesn’t have a Referendum law, we are unlikely to otherwise get a state law allowing it.
4. There will be a local vote in the fall on the OSLOST passed by the Legislature.
Submitted by,
Carolyn Hargrove
Voter Service Chair
