Committee advances wide-ranging elections substitute, including ERIC withdrawal timeline and changes to election procedures

The Governmental Affairs Committee advanced a comprehensive elections substitute that bundles multiple provisions: a phased withdrawal from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), limits on weekend absentee ballot drop-off, authority for legislative leaders to remove and replace certain appointments to the State Elections Board, changes to when proposed election rules can take effect, and other election administration changes. The committee approved the substitute after extended debate and procedural motions.

Representative Montahan, identified in committee as the author of the version that would remove the state from ERIC, walked members through the substitute and said the original ranked-choice ban language had been replaced with broader elections provisions. He described a phased timeline: the State Elections Board is to submit a report evaluating voter-registration and maintenance procedures to the Legislature by Dec. 30, 2025, and the bill would not require withdrawal from ERIC until July 1, 2027.

Representative Sanchez questioned the timetable and process, asking, “Why are we doing such a huge, insane, big move like that without having any sort of, like, study committee to actually, like, you know, fully vet this and see if this is actually a good idea?” Montahan replied that he was “working on a resolution” and that an ad hoc or study committee would be appointed if a House study committee could not be formed.

The substitute also includes a provision that would require the Secretary of State’s office to provide lists of electors at no charge to counties; committee discussion noted the Secretary of State’s office opposed that provision and currently charges just under $500 for a statewide list. The measure would prevent weekend ballot drop-off “pop up” locations the weekend before an election, while allowing county election offices that normally open Monday to accept ballots on Monday with notice. Another section would allow municipalities to opt out of one or both municipal-only Saturday elections, consistent with previously considered House language.

Representative Mary Frances Williams criticized the package as partisan, saying it was “a blatant attempt to ignore the will of the people and do a workaround around the secretary of state's office.” Other members pressed for more information about which provisions originated from the State Elections Board, the Secretary of State, or outside groups such as the Georgia GOP; Chairman Anderson and other sponsors said many elements had been vetted in subcommittees and related committee hearings over several weeks.

Members made and voted on multiple procedural motions. Representative Adesanya moved to table the bill; that motion failed after a show-of-hands procedure. Representative Gollitt later moved the committee to “do pass” the substitute; the chair conducted a show-of-hands vote and declared the motion carried. The transcript records disagreement among members about whether they had sufficient time to review the full substitute (members said they received it that morning), concerns about fiscal impacts of leaving ERIC, and requests for a section-by-section list of which actors supported or opposed particular provisions. The committee referred the measure for further consideration after passage.

The bill contains multiple sections that sponsors said had been discussed in prior subcommittee or committee hearings and in the last 24 hours. Sponsors said the July 1, 2027 withdrawal date was selected to avoid leaving the state “stranded” and to allow incoming officials time to evaluate alternatives.

Committee debate referenced specific local concerns: Gwinnett County requested free elector lists for in-county distribution; Cobb County was discussed as an example where counties had to open on a weekend to accept absentee ballots after logistical issues. Sponsors said emergency court orders would not be precluded by the weekend drop-off restriction.

The committee approved the substitute; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally for the final passage, only a show-of-hands and the chair's announcement that the motion carried.