Monday was Crossover Day at the Georgia Capitol, and one of the most watched bills was the Senate omnibus elections bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton). And by early evening, SB 241 — which does away with no-excuse absentee voting and requires more voter ID — passed out of the Senate by a slim 29-20 vote and is now on the way to the House.
Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, who vocally opposed the bill but does not have a vote, chose to leave the Senate Chamber during discussions and the vote on the bill. He turned the gavel over to Senate Pro Tem Butch Miller and walked to his office when the bill came up. Duncan has said he opposes efforts to severely limit absentee voting. Duncan’s action seemed to upset the large majority of his caucus, and insiders said he could have still presided over the vote even if he disagreed with the aspects of 241.
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