Connect with us

Georgia

Paper ballots focus of latest election reform push in Georgia legislature

Published

on

Paper ballots focus of latest election reform push in Georgia legislature


ATLANTA – Five years ago, the General Assembly’s Republican majorities passed legislation providing for a paper backup to electronic ballots, a move aimed at giving Georgians more confidence their votes are being counted correctly.

But legislative leaders aren’t content with that election reform measure. This year, they’re pushing a series of bills aimed largely at paper ballots responding to election watchdog groups clamoring for more tools to ensure accurate outcomes.

“It will bring more confidence,” state Rep. Steve Tarvin, R-Chickamauga, said on the House floor Jan. 31. “It’s something we need to restore.”

Advertisement

The 2024 crop of election bills includes:

  • Senate Bill 89 and House Bill 975, requiring use of the text portion of paper ballots in tabulating votes rather than QR codes.
  • House Bill 974, requiring Georgia’s secretary of state to develop and implement a statewide system allowing members of the voting public to scan paper ballots.
  • House Bill 976, requiring a “visible security device” in the form of a watermark on paper ballots.
  • House Bill 977, expanding the number of races subject to “risk-limiting” audits.

The QR codes bill already has cleared the Senate Ethics Committee but remains pending before the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Republican lawmakers have cited numerous complaints from constituents about the use of QR codes.

“There’s been a lot of doubt surrounding the QR code, voters questioning whether the QR code is interpreting their vote accurately,” said Rep. John LaHood, R-Valdosta, chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee. “Having the actual text they can see and interpret themselves … is the right correction for us to go in.”

Former Republican Rep. Scot Turner of Cherokee County told members of the House panel he tried unsuccessfully to amend the 2019 bill to get rid of the QR code.

“Nobody’s going to trust the QR codes,” he said.

Advertisement

Senate Ethics Committee Chairman Max Burns, R-Sylvania, said the Dominion touch-screen voting system the state uses is capable of allowing the text portion of paper ballots to tabulate votes instead of the QR code.

“We’re going to leave the details and technical requirements up to the secretary of state,” he said.

But those technical requirements are giving the House committee pause. The panel has yet to act on the House version of the legislation amid questions surrounding the cost and who’s going to pay for it.

“This could require a heavy purchase of equipment,” LaHood said.

Advertisement

“I’m opposed to any unfunded mandates on counties until we have more information,” added Rep. Shea Roberts, D-Atlanta.

The House hasn’t hesitated on the watermark bill, the only one of the four measures that has cleared a legislative chamber. The House passed House Bill 976 Jan. 31 with only one “no” vote.

LaHood told his House colleagues before the vote the legislation would require a one-time cost of $110,000.

“This is a low-cost, high-value measure,” he said.

The other two bills – House Bill 974 and House Bill 977 – have passed the Governmental Affairs Committee but not yet reached the House floor.

Advertisement

House Bill 974 would expand to a statewide program an existing pilot project giving voters the ability to scan paper ballots online.

More: Bipartisan sports betting bill passes in Georgia Senate, but late amendment might capsize it

“This is something that can be implemented right away,” LaHood said. “(The secretary of state) is making provisions to do this.”

House Bill 977 would expand the number of election contests subject to audits from just the race at the top of the ballot to a second race involving one of the statewide races. The second race to be audited would be chosen by a committee of five officials: the governor, lieutenant governor, the speaker of the state House of Representatives, and the House and Senate minority leaders.

Anne Herring, policy analyst for Common Cause Georgia, raised concerns about the latter provision.

Advertisement

“The governor and lieutenant governor get to vote on whether their own races will be audited,” Herring told LaHood’s committee. “That’s a little concerning to me in terms of public confidence in elections.”

LaHood said including the two minority leaders and bringing the membership to five should allay those concerns.

“One or two people couldn’t sway that decision,” he said. “We need three people to vote together.”

The full House and Senate are expected to act on all of the election reform bills this month.



Source link

Advertisement

Georgia

SEC title game scenarios: Auburn upset sets up Georgia vs. Texas-Texas A&M winner in Atlanta

Published

on

SEC title game scenarios: Auburn upset sets up Georgia vs. Texas-Texas A&M winner in Atlanta


Rival programs Texas and Texas A&M will meet next Saturday for the first time in 13 years and will have an SEC championship game berth on the line when they do.

The winner between the No. 3 Longhorns and No. 15 Aggies will clinch a berth in the SEC title game and will play No. 10 Georgia. The SEC office confirmed Saturday night that following Week 13’s results, the Bulldogs have clinched a spot in the conference title game for the fourth consecutive season.

That’s the unexpected outcome of a stunning day of upsets in the SEC, which saw Ole Miss and Alabama eliminated by taking a third loss, No. 11 Tennessee eliminated because of tiebreakers and Georgia clinch a spot after the new tiebreaker rules were examined.

Here’s a look at the top four teams in the standings heading into Week 14:

Advertisement
Team SEC record Final SEC opponent

6-1

at Texas A&M

6-2

n/a

5-2

Advertisement

Texas

5-2

at Vanderbilt

Breaking down the SEC scenarios

• If Texas wins next week, then it has the best record and No. 1 seed. Georgia would then be the second seed whether or not Tennessee wins against Vanderbilt, as Georgia owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Volunteers.

• If Texas A&M wins, it creates either a three-way or four-way tie for first place, depending on whether Tennessee wins. None of the first tiebreakers would appear to apply, so it would go to schedule strength. Texas A&M has that edge right now, and according to the SEC office calculations that would still hold after next week. Here is what they are after this weekend’s games:

Advertisement
Team Opponents’ cumulative conference record

28-30

26-32

26-35

23-36

But that would only clinch the first seed, and the tiebreaker process would go back to the beginning with the remaining three teams. In that case, Georgia would get the second seed, by virtue of having beaten Tennessee and Texas.

Advertisement

If Texas A&M wins but Tennessee loses, then Georgia still gets the spot via its head-to-head win over the Longhorns.

The bottom line: It’s complicated.

Here are the six SEC tiebreakers, in order:

  • Head-to-head competition among the tied teams
  • Record versus all common conference opponents among the tied teams
  • Record against highest (best) placed common conference opponent in the conference standings, and proceeding through the conference standings among the tied teams
  • Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents among the tied teams
  • Capped relative total scoring margin versus all conference opponents among the tied teams
  • Random draw of the tied teams

How Auburn upset the Aggies

Auburn receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith made a leaping catch in the middle of the end zone of a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Payton Thorne in the fourth overtime that proved to be the game winner. Texas A&M had a chance to match it, but Marcel Reed’s rollout pass to Amari Daniels was dropped. Auburn fans stormed the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium to celebrate the win, its first over a ranked team in the Hugh Freeze era.

The Tigers (5-6, 2-5) raced out to a 21-0 second quarter lead behind their passing game. Thorne connected on four pass plays of 15 or more yards in the first quarter alone, including a 63-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman and a 60-yard completion to Lambert-Smith.

Texas A&M charged back with three touchdowns on its next four drives to tie the game at 21 with 7:57 to go in the third quarter. Aggies receiver Noah Thomas (five catches, 124 yards) accounted for two of those on touchdown catches of 14 and 73 yards in the third quarter.

Advertisement

Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter (130 rushing yards, three touchdowns) gave the Tigers a 28-21 lead, but Texas A&M responded with a Randy Bond field goal and an 8-yard Daniels touchdown run to take a 31-28 lead with 4:01 left in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers penetrated inside A&M’s 10 in the final minute but settled for a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime and field goals in the second overtime. By rule, teams must attempt alternating two-point conversion plays beginning in the third overtime. Both teams failed to convert theirs in the third overtime.

Looking ahead

Despite the loss, the Aggies still have a chance to make it to the SEC title game for the first time in school history. Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012 but failed to win its division under Kevin Sumlin or Jimbo Fisher.

New coach Mike Elko has a chance to do something neither of his predecessors could, but it will require an upset of rival Texas. A loss will eliminate the Aggies from College Football Playoff contention since they’ll be ranked well outside the top 12.

Advertisement

The Longhorns visit Kyle Field next week, the first time since 2011 the rivals will meet and the 119th edition of the rivalry. Texas leads the all-time series 76-37-5 and won the last meeting 27-25 on a Justin Tucker field goal as time expired.

Earlier in the day, Georgia wasn’t considering the SEC championship a strong possibility, much less clinching a spot before the day was over. More of the discussion had been about whether it would be better to miss the game, rest and prepare for the first round of the Playoff, rather than risk a loss and drop further in the rankings.

“We haven’t really discussed it,” guard Tate Ratledge said. “If it falls into place, we’re going to do our best to go up there and do our best to win it. But if it doesn’t it doesn’t. Right now we’re just focused on (Georgia) Tech.”

(Photo: Michael Chang / Getty Images)



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Georgia

Georgia’s First National Park to be Named Ocmulgee Mounds National Park

Published

on

Georgia’s First National Park to be Named Ocmulgee Mounds National Park


National Parks, a vital influence on the American culture have been around since 1872. And while many states in the U.S. benefit from the beauty and attractiveness of the attributes that make a national park a national park, not every state has that honor. There are twenty states that have yet to gain a title, however, it is not due to the lack of personality. Georgia is one such state.

Macon, Georgia is home to a historical park that contains over 17,000 years of historical artifacts. Ocmulgee Mounds is a beautiful grassy piece of land where a variety of Native American cultures have resided for thousands of years. The historic park is known for its cultural history and houses the only spiral staircase mound known to be existing in North America, and has several different nature trails and hikes.

Although the state of Georgia has 11 sites designated by the National Park Service, over 60 parks, and 17 historic sites, an official National Park has been in the works for over 90 years. This week, however, the Peach State took one step closer to having its first national park and preserve. The Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act passed through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

Concerning the act, U.S. Rep and cosponsor on the bill, Austin Scott elaborates, “This is a bipartisan initiative that goes all the way back to 1934. The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act would create a historic opportunity to protect important natural and cultural resources, protect hunting and fishing for generations to come, and bring economic opportunities to middle Georgia through the creation of Georgia’s first national park.”

Advertisement

This initiative has been a long time coming and the state is looking forward to highlighting the hidden cultural and ecological gems they have to offer on a nother level.

“Experts estimate the Ocmulgee River corridor is home to 32 mammal species, 170 species of birds, 26 amphibian species, 31 fish species and 35 reptile species.” Environment Georgia, an e

The Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act also takes a step to guaruntee the preservation of the natural life that resides in Macon. “Experts estimate the Ocmulgee River corridor is home to 32 mammal species, 170 species of birds, 26 amphibian species, 31 fish species and 35 reptile species,” environmentalist group, Environment Georgia stated in a release.

As well as preserving the wildlife of Ocmulgee Mounds, this next step in ensuring Georgia’s first National Park will bolster the local economy and allow tourists from across the U.S. to delve into the rich history and culture that Georgia has to offer.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Georgia

Georgia football-UMass live updates, score, analysis and injury news for Week 13 game

Published

on

Georgia football-UMass live updates, score, analysis and injury news for Week 13 game


The No. 10 Georgia football team will take on the UMass Minutemen in a Week 13 college football game. Below you can find live updates, analysis, the latest injury news and the score.

Georgia is 8-2 on the season while UMass is 2-8. UMass parted ways with its head coach this week.

Georgia football-UMass live updates, score, analysis for Week 13 game

10 a.m. ET: Georgia football will honor its senior class on Saturday when the Bulldogs take on the UMass. The ceremony will take place prior to Saturday’s game, with festivities starting at 12:23 p.m. ET.

As for the injury front, look for Georgia to be without a few skill players in running back Trevor Etienne and wide receiver Dillon Bell. Etienne is dealing with a rib injury that forced him to miss last week’s game against Tennessee.

Advertisement

Bell left the Tennessee game with an ankle injury. His injury is not expected to force him to miss significant time.

Look for two freshmen to step up in their place. At running back Nate Frazier will once again carry the load for Georgia. He has a rushing touchdown in each of the past three games.

At wide receiver, Nitro Tuggle will look to build off his game against Tennessee.

“Nitro’s responded well. He’s worked hard. He had a good practice today,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I think he gained some confidence from that because he went against a really good defense and he did some nice things. But, I mean, he goes against a good defense every day in practice, and there’s times that he’s been frustrated. I mean, he would tell you openly that he wants to play. He wants to help. All freshmen want to play.”

With Georgia being a massive favorite, the Bulldogs will look to get some young players some reps this weekend. Georgia also has a quick turnaround, as it faces Georgia Tech on Friday.

Advertisement

The Yellow Jackets played on Thursday, beating NC State 30-29.

Georgia football injury report against UMass

  • Earnest Greene — shoulder — questionable
  • Micah Morris — ankle — questionable
  • Dillon Bell — ankle — out
  • Roderick Robinson — toe — out
  • Branson Robinson — knee — out
  • Joseph Jonah-Ajonye — foot — out
  • Trevor Etienne — ribs — out

Georgia football-UMass game time for Week 13 game

The Georgia football-UMass game is set for a 12:45 p.m. ET kickoff

Georgia football-UMass TV channel for Week 13 game

The Georgia football-UMass game will air on the SEC Network. Dave Neal and Max Starks will be calling the game.

How to stream Georgia football-UMass game for Week 13

You can watch the Georgia football-Tennessee Tech game online via the WatchESPN app. Click here to watch the game.

Georgia football-UMass odds for Week 13 game

The Georgia football team is a 42.5-point favorite over UMass. The over/under is 55.5.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending