A few days after RAND Corp ranked the state as one of the best in the nation for voter access in pandemic preparedness, the State Election Board gave Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his team another vote of confidence. The State Board gave unanimous approval Monday to a rule authorizing the Secretary of State’s upcoming online absentee ballot request form portal.
According to Raffensperger this portal will make it easier for Georgia voters to request absentee ballots in the future and for county officials to process the dramatic increase in absentee ballots seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online portal is currently undergoing testing and is on track for public release later this month. It is designed to keep Georgia at the forefront of voter access and security, Raffensperger said.
“The State Election Board’s endorsement of the online absentee ballot request portal is a significant step forward for voting in Georgia,” said Raffensperger. “
This announcement comes as many counties are looking at the possibility of mailing out absentee ballot applications. Raffensperger has said his office will not be mailing out applications for the November General Election as they did for the June 9 Primary.
The new rule approved by the State Board authorizes Raffensperger “to create a system that allows registered voters to submit an absentee ballot application via an online portal.” The identity of the person making the request will be verified by “matching the voter’s name, date of birth, and Georgia driver’s license or state identification card number” with information contained on file in the state voter registration system.
All other absentee ballot applications will require a voter’s signature that matches the signature on file.
Raffensperger also announced that his office is partnering with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to help Georgia counties to find the poll workers they’ll need for the November General Election.
“This partnership demonstrates our joint commitment to assisting counties to have the personnel needed for short lines, accurate results and fair elections,” Raffensperger said. “Local election officials here and across the country are facing a poll worker shortage, and I’m determined to help them.”
September 1, 2020 has been designated as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day to encourage more people to sign up to become election workers.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, America is facing a critical shortage of poll workers. Most poll workers have traditionally been over the age of 61, making them especially vulnerable to complications if they contract COVID-19. This has resulted in a critical need for poll workers who are willing and able to assist with the administration of in-person voting.
