ATLANTA (Feb. 16, 2024) – Today, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 212, sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics Sen. Max Burns (R–Sylvania). This legislation would relieve the probate court judges from being responsible for elections. Newly established county boards of elections and registration would assume this responsibility. There are approximately twenty-five counties across the state that currently utilize probate judges as elections superintendents and would be impacted by this legislation.
Sen. Burns applauded the passage of this measure, stating, “The passing of Senate Bill 212 is a crucial advancement towards fairer and more efficient elections in our state. By transferring election responsibilities from probate court judges to county boards of election and registration, we guarantee a smoother process that maintains the integrity of our democracy. This legislation reflects our dedication to transparent governance and empowers community involvement within our electoral process. I was honored to lead the charge on this bill and am thankful for the bipartisan support it received. Together, we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger, more inclusive democracy.”
This measure will move to the Georgia House of Representatives for further consideration. You can read the full text of SB 212 here.
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Sen. Max Burns serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. He represents the 23rd Senate District, which includes Burke, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, McDuffie, Screven, Taliaferro, and Warren County as well as portions of Columbia and Richmond County. He may be reached at 404.463.1376 or by email at max.burns@senate.ga.gov