Secretary of State Kemp Applauds Georgia House Passage of MOVE Act Legislation

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today applauded the passage of legislation by the Georgia House of Representatives that will 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.

“I commend the Georgia House for their overwhelming support of the MOVE Act and Georgia’s military and overseas voters,” said Secretary Kemp. “This legislation utilizes existing technology to ensure that the voices of the men and women who protect our freedoms overseas are heard on Election Day.”

The bill (HB 1073) was introduced by Rep. John Meadows (R – Calhoun), a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, on behalf of the Secretary of State’s office. It passed with a vote of 161-1. 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.

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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