Senate panel to consider bill that hands Georgia lawmakers more say over State Election Board

|

March 11th, 2025

Conservative Georgia State Election Board member Janelle King, second from left, voted Sept. 23 to have election board Executive Director Mike Coan. second from right, to look into the claims that led to the DeKalb County Republican Party alleging that several county election board’s are not following the law for reviewing voter eligibility complaints. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

Spencer Platt/Getty Images / Getty Images North America

A last-minute House election bill that advanced on Crossover Day last week would give new authority to the House speaker and Senate president to remove State Election Board members during the legislative offseason.

If the Legislature approves the current version of House Bill 397, it would give the two chamber leaders powers to remove members from a board that was at the forefront of controversial election rulemaking in 2024.

However, the architect behind the proposal for removing Georgia election board members, Atlanta Democratic Rep. Saira Draper, said she’s not optimistic that the updated clause will remain in the final election bill expected to be crafted before the session ends April 4.

Related

Top Stories