Bill requires candidates to raise at least half their money within Georgia

Legislators vote in the House chamber
Lawmakers rush to their seats after the voting machines open in the House Chambers on Crossover Day morning, March 6, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

ATLANTA — Republicans in the Georgia Senate passed a bill Friday that bans candidates from raising more than half of their campaign money from outside of the state, a limitation that Democrats said inhibits their fundraising in nationalized elections.

Sen. Timothy Bearden, R-Carrollton, said the bill is about preventing non-Georgians from influencing Georgia elections — not about targeting Democrats.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 33-21 to pass Senate Bill 423, sending it to the state House.