Bill would let Georgia voters opt to notify prior states to cancel old registrations
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Summary
Chairman Gullett presented a model bill to let new Georgia registrants provide prior-state registration information and a signed authorization so the secretary of state can notify the prior state's election official to cancel the old registration; the proposal raises questions on NVRA form constraints and interstate data security.
Chairman Gullett described House Bill 1227 (LC473955) as model legislation intended to make it easier for people who move to Georgia to have their prior-state voter registration canceled. The bill would add fields to capture prior-state registration information and obtain the registrant's signed authorization to request cancellation from the former state. Counties would transmit key identifiers to the secretary of state monthly; the secretary's office would notify the other state's chief election official and publish quarterly reports on notices sent and received.
Gullett said the proposal is an opt-in service to the voter and would not be automatic: the voter must sign authorization for the state to transmit prior registration information. Scott Turner, who has worked on the drafting, told the committee his office had given a copy of the bill to the secretary of state's office and "requested feedback," and that the system used for voter records (referenced in testimony as Jarvis) could support the transmissions though additional technical work or appropriation might be needed.
Members asked about data security and whether the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) rules constrain changes to the federal registration form. Blake/Tim Evans of the secretary of state's office said they generally support tools that help get people off the rolls faster but were still reviewing the draft; they emphasized prioritizing data security and noted the office may need resources to implement cross‑state transfers of signed applications.
Representatives signaled further review is needed. The subcommittee did not vote on the bill and the chair said it would return to subcommittee for additional drafting ahead of a future hearing.
