Georgia 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

Georgia Senate Bill SB129 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/09/2023

                    23 LC 47 2066
S. B. 129
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Senate Bill 129
By: Senators Williams of the 25th, Burns of the 23rd, Harbin of the 16th, Anderson of the
24th, Beach of the 21st and others 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
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primaries and elections generally, so as to provide for time off for employees to advance2
vote; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:4
SECTION 1.5
Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to primaries and6
elections generally, is amended by revising Code Section 21-2-404, relating to affording7
employees time off to vote, as follows:8
"21-2-404.9
Each employee in this state shall, upon reasonable notice to his or her employer, be10
permitted by his or her employer to take any necessary time off from his or her11
employment to vote in any municipal, county, state, or federal political party primary or12
election for which such employee is qualified and registered to vote either on one of the
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days that are designated for advance in-person voting or on the day on which such primary14
or election is held; provided, however, that such necessary time off shall not exceed two15
hours; and provided, further, that, if the hours of work of such employee commence at least16
two hours after the opening of the polls or end at least two hours prior to the closing of the17 23 LC 47 2066
S. B. 129
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polls, then the time off for voting as provided for in this Code section shall not be available.
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The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may absent himself or19
herself as provided in this Code section."20
SECTION 2.21
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.22