Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR

This past session, the Georgia Assembly ultimately rejected some of the more severe anti-voter provisions that were proposed, such as banning dropboxes. With the state passing additional restrictions to further ban private funding in elections without providing any additional state funds for local election offices, Georgia received a C on this year’s progress report.

Looking Back

Where Georgia Started at the Beginning of 2023

• Automatic Voter Registration: Partial AVR
• Online Voter Registration: DMV ID
• Same-Day Registration: No
• Restoration of Rights: Parole and/or Probation Disenfranchisement
• Vote by Mail: No-Excuse
• Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
• Early Voting Opportunities: Regular Ballot Early Voting
• ID Requirements: Strict Photo ID

Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for Georgia as of 2022, we considered the state a middle tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2023 activity against other middle tier states. Last year, Georgia was considered a bottom tier state.

How Our Tier Compares

• COVI (2022): 29th
• EPI Score (2020): 21st
• CLC State Scorecard (2022): 6/10
• MAP Democracy Rating (2022): FAIR

2023: This Past Year

Legislative Action

Once again, the Assembly took steps to restrict private funds in election administration.

• S 222 expanded the existing ban on the use of private funding for election administration to include county and municipal governments and their employees and added felony criminal penalties for violations.