Georgia is one step closer to implementing new voting machines. Governor Brian Kemp signed several bills ahead of the General Assembly’s adjournment sine die on Tuesday — most notably HB 316 which authorizes the statewide purchase of new touchscreen voting machines that print a paper ballot.
By law, the Governor has 40 days — May 12, 2019 in this case — after the General Assembly adjourns to sign, veto, or take no action on bills passed. If he takes no action on legislation, it becomes law.
HB 316 requires that electronic machines that print paper ballots be used across Georgia for in-person voting by 2020. Local election officials have said they favor touch screen voting machines that print paper ballots, because they say they are most similar to what Georgians use currently and eliminate questions about voter intent.
Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), sponsor of HB 316, has said the machines will best capture voter intent.
Bond funding totaling $150 million was included in the FY 2020 budget. That funding is expected to cover the initial purchase of machines as well as rollout and training.
The state’s current voting machines are 17 years old.
Gov. Kemp also signed HB 217 Tuesday, which legalizes needle exchanges. Many experts say this type action initiative can help contain the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases that sometimes linger in used syringes. In fact, last month, President Donald Trump’s secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, voiced support for needle exchanges.
And bill’s sponsor, Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens) said he believes the law will “save lives and money.”
Kemp also signed a number of other bills on sine die — most of which were local bills – including House Bills 21, 50, 51, 52, 54, 284, 285, 304, 306, 559, 574, 590, 597, 601, 602, 603, 607, 622, and 632.
On February 15, Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill 25 – his first as Georgia’s 83rd Governor – to improve school bus safety for families and children across the Peach State. On March 12, Governor Kemp signed House Bill 30, the amended fiscal year 2019 budget, and on March 27, the Governor signed the Patients First Act – Senate Bill 106.
