Georgia Senate Bill SB229

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/23
• Refer: 2/22/23

Caption

Elections and Primaries; any person employed or retained by a county election superintendent must be a citizen of the United States; provide

Impact

The bill impacts state laws by conditionally altering the qualifications for individuals who administer election duties at the county level. It emphasizes the importance of citizenship as a prerequisite for those involved in managing elections, thus potentially affecting a range of local employees and their hiring practices. This change is expected to strengthen the confidence of the electorate in the electoral process, as citizens may feel more secure knowing that elections are managed by fellow citizens.

Summary

Senate Bill 229 aims to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated concerning elections and primaries. The crux of the bill is to stipulate that anyone employed or retained by a county election superintendent to conduct election duties must be a citizen of the United States. This requirement is set to enhance the integrity of election processes in Georgia by ensuring that individuals overseeing elections meet a baseline criterion of citizenship.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB229 may arise from debates regarding the implications of such citizenship requirements. Critics could argue that the bill may create barriers to employment within county election offices, particularly affecting non-citizen residents who may have been involved in electoral processes. Proponents, however, are likely to stress the necessity of ensuring that individuals handling elections are inherently tied to the nation, thereby enhancing public trust in the electoral integrity and protecting against potential foreign influences.