Augusta Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday for Mayor Hardie Davis’ proposal to draft a resolution opposing Georgia Senate bills 67, 68, 69 71, 73, 74 and other bills “aimed at restricting methods available to Augusta residents to exercise their right to vote or cause undue financial burden on voters.”
Current election laws powered Georgia to have the largest turnout in its history. The proposed senate bills would have the effect of moving Georgia backward, Davis said.
“It would be like going from WiFi to Dialup,” he said.
Senate Bill 67 provides for the submission of identification in connection with absentee ballot applications; provides for the submission of photocopies of voter identification documents for absentee ballot applications; and for requesting absentee ballot applications through a web portal.
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Senate Bill 68 would revise the manner of delivery of voted absentee ballots.
Senate Bill 70 would provide that a person who votes in a general election for the office of U.S. representative or senator in another state and subsequently moves to Georgia shall be ineligible to vote in a runoff for any such offices in Georgia in the same election cycle.
Senate Bill 71 would revise the definition of “absentee elector” and provide for reasons for voting by absentee ballot and to provide for certain exceptions. It would end no-excuse absentee-by-mail voting.
Senate Bill 72 would provide that county registrars maintain monthly from the coroner, judge of the probate court and funeral homes in the county identifying information about persons who died in the county during the previous month.
Senate Bill 73 would limit the distribution of absentee ballot applications to certain election officials and candidates and provide for certain disclosures.
Senate Bill 74 would allow for more partisan poll watchers to witness the vote counting process.
In other action, Commissioners:
— Received a report from Jordan Johnson about the newly formed Task Force for Homelessness. Johnson said he and Commissioner Dennis Williams had identified organizations that serve the homeless and have asked them to be a part of the group.
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Johnson also said he and Williams had been focused on the city opening up May Park as a warming center for homeless people during the bitter cold weather. The recreation department would staff the center, and the sheriff’s office would be involved.
Hours of operation would be from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Then it would be closed for the day.
“This is not a 24-hour operation,” he said. “Once we solidify plans, we will make sure it gets out to the community.”
— Voted to authorize Administrator Odie Donald, central services and other relevant city departments to conduct a 60 to 90 day review of transitioning the city’s non-public safety vehicles to electric vehicles.
Commissioners Clark, Frantom, Garrett, Johnson, McKnight, Scott and Dennis Williams voted for the proposal. Commissioners Ben Hasan and Sammie Sias and Mayor Pro Tenm Bobby Williams voted against it.
— Voted 9-0, with Commissioner Sean Frantom out of the meeting, to send the mayor’s proposal to committee to authorize Donald, the finance department and other relevant departments to conduct a review of the impact, feasibility and cost of an up to 15 percent 2021 property tax break to landlords who had not evicted people from workforce and affordable housing during the pandemic.
–Voted to send Hasan’s proposal to committee to discuss whether there is a need for the mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee to study the city’s charter. Clarke abstained and Frantom was not present for the vote.
Sylvia Cooper is a Correspondent with The Augusta Press. Reach her at sylvia.cooper@theaugustapress.com
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