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GeorgiaSB 3EX2026 Special SessionHouse

Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee; establish

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Jason T. Dickerson (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Frank Ginn (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Steven McNeel (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Ed Setzler (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Lanny Thomas (Republican), Larry Walker (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Governmental AffairsEthicsGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Georgia creates election equipment planning committee

The law creates a nine-member committee to recommend statewide equipment standards for hand-marked paper ballots printed on demand. The Governor appoints three state voters, Senate leaders appoint three senators, and the House Speaker appoints three representatives. One senator and one representative serve as co-chairs. By January 31, 2027, its detailed report must support funding, purchasing, and rollout plans for the 2028 election cycle. The report goes to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, House Speaker, Secretary of State, and State Election Board. The Secretary of State serving when the law takes effect cannot select, certify, or buy the new system, including preparing vendor requests; contrary actions are legally void. The committee can seek election, cybersecurity, and accessibility experts' advice, and request Secretary of State staff input by majority vote. Nonlegislative members receive the same daily payment as state lawmakers for each full or partial day of service, plus necessary travel costs, from State Election Board funds. The committee, payment rules, and Secretary of State restriction end July 1, 2029; the law does not itself replace voting equipment.

Georgia requires recounts in close statewide races

The Secretary of State must order a hand recount in every county for qualifying close statewide general-election races. Covered offices are Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State School Superintendent, and Insurance, Agriculture, and Labor commissioners. The race must appear first or second on the ballot. The winner's lead over any other candidate must be no more than 0.5% of all votes in that race. The order is due within two business days after results are certified; incorrect results must be corrected and certified again. Georgia reimburses reasonable recount costs only when the county election superintendent finishes within 17 days after the order. The law sets no reimbursement amount.

Georgia sets races for election audits

Election officials must audit the top race on the ballot before certifying results. They also audit presidential, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General races. These additional races must be on the ballot and are not selected again if they are the top race. One more race from the law's listed state and judicial offices is selected through the existing procedure. That race must also be on the ballot and not be the top race.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason Anavitarte

    Republican • Senate

  • Lee Anderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Timothy Bearden

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Brass

    Republican • Senate

  • Max Burns

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason T. Dickerson

    Republican • Senate

  • Clint Dixon

    Republican • Senate

  • Drew Echols

    Republican • Senate

  • Frank Ginn

    Republican • Senate

  • Russ Goodman

    Republican • Senate

  • Marty Harbin

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Billy Hickman

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Hodges

    Republican • Senate

  • Steven McNeel

    Republican • Senate

  • Chuck Payne

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

  • Ed Setzler

    Republican • Senate

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

  • Lanny Thomas

    Republican • Senate

  • Larry Walker

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 429 • No: 278

House vote • 6/23/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 94 • No: 79 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 6/23/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED

Yes: 19 • No: 32 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 6/23/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 36 • No: 16 • Other: 1

House vote • 6/23/2026

Immediately Transmit

Yes: 144 • No: 28 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 6/20/2026

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 33 • No: 19 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 6/20/2026

MOTION TO RESOLVE DEBATE

Yes: 33 • No: 19 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 6/20/2026

MOTION TO TABLE

Yes: 19 • No: 33 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 6/20/2026

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 31ST

Yes: 33 • No: 19 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 6/20/2026

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Yes: 18 • No: 33 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    6/25/2026Senate

  2. Act 1EX

    6/25/2026

  3. Effective Date

    6/25/2026

  4. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    6/23/2026House

  5. House Third Readers

    6/23/2026House

  6. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    6/23/2026House

  7. House Immediately Transmitted to Senate

    6/23/2026House

  8. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    6/23/2026Senate

  9. Senate Sent to Governor

    6/23/2026Senate

  10. House Second Readers

    6/22/2026House

  11. Senate Third Read

    6/20/2026Senate

  12. Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended

    6/20/2026Senate

  13. House First Readers

    6/20/2026House

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    6/18/2026Senate

  15. Senate Read Second Time

    6/18/2026Senate

  16. Senate Hopper

    6/17/2026Senate

  17. Senate Read and Referred

    6/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 3EX/AP* (v15)

    PDF

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