Secretary of State Kemp Announces Support of Legislation to Increase Ballot Access for Military and Overseas Voters

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today announced his support of legislation to strengthen Georgia’s compliance with the federal Military and Overseas Voters Empowerment Act, or MOVE Act. This legislation will increase ballot access for the approximately 200,000 Georgians living or stationed overseas.

The bill HB 1073 was introduced by Rep. John Meadows (R – Calhoun), a member of the U.S. Marine Corps. The bill is designed to ensure that military and overseas voters receive their ballots in sufficient time to be able to return them and have them counted. Among the bill’s features is a requirement that absentee ballots must be sent to military and overseas voters 45 days prior to a general primary or general election; increased access to absentee ballots for an entire election cycle; and allowing military and overseas voters to receive a blank absentee ballot electronically.

“I’m proud to support and help implement these new requirements, which utilize available technology to increase ballot access and election participation for Georgia’s military and civilians stationed and living overseas,” said Secretary Kemp.

Rep. Meadows said, “I want to thank Secretary of State Kemp for his dedication to increasing opportunities for Georgia’s military members and overseas citizens to vote. This common sense legislation strengthens our commitment to our men and women in uniform, and ensures that their voice will be heard on Election Day.”

Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.

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