ATLANTA (June 3, 2010) – Governor Sonny Perdue has signed into law House Bill 1073 giving Georgia’s military and overseas citizens a greater ability to cast ballots and register to vote. Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) sponsored the legislation through the Senate.
“Our soldiers live, fight, and die to protect our rights, our freedoms, our democracy and our Constitution. They and other overseas citizens should be given every opportunity to exercise their right to vote, guaranteed to them by the United States Constitution.” said Butterworth. “This significant legislation will make it easier for eligible Georgia citizens living, working, and fighting abroad to cast their votes and have their voices heard back home in Georgia.”
HB 1073 brings Georgia into compliance with the federal Uniformed an Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, making Georgia the third state in the Union to do so. Eligible overseas voters may request an official ballot electronically. Additionally, this bill enables eligible overseas voters to automatically register to vote with their federally-approved absentee ballot.
Under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Board of Registrars must send official ballots to overseas voters at least 45 days before any non-municipal general primary or general election and 21 days before any municipal primary and municipal general election.
Sen. Jim Butterworth represents the 50th Senate District which includes Towns, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, and Hart counties along with a portion of White County. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at jim.butterworth@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 3, 2010
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028