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	Georgia General Assembly

House Bill 177
By: Representatives Buckner of the 95^th, Holmes of the 53^rd, Walker of the 141^st, Skipper of the 137^th, Smyre of the 136^th and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 21-2-414 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to restrictions on campaign activities and public opinion polling within the vicinity of a polling place, so as to prohibit campaign activities, public opinion polling, and petitioning within 150 feet of any polling place at which absentee ballots are being cast and within 25 feet of any voter standing in line to vote by absentee ballot; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 21-2-414 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to restrictions on campaign activities and public opinion polling within the vicinity of a polling place, is amended by striking said Code section in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof a new Code Section 21-2-414 to read as follows:
"21-2-414.
(a) No person shall solicit votes in any manner or by any means or method, nor shall any person distribute any campaign literature, newspaper, booklet, pamphlet, card, sign, or any other written or printed matter of any kind, nor shall any person conduct any exit poll or public opinion poll with voters on any primary or election day:
(1) Within 150 feet of the outer edge of any building within which a polling place is established;
(2) Within any polling place; or
(3) Within 25 feet of any voter standing in line to vote at any polling place.
(b) No person shall solicit signatures for any petition on any primary or election day:
(1) Within 150 feet of the outer edge of any building within which a polling place is established;
(2) Within any polling place; or
(3) Within 25 feet of any voter standing in line to vote at any polling place.
(c) No person shall solicit votes in any manner or by any means or method, nor shall any person distribute any campaign literature, newspaper, booklet, pamphlet, card, sign, or any other written or printed matter of any kind, nor shall any person conduct any exit poll or public opinion poll with voters on any day in which an absentee ballot may be cast by a voter:
(1) Within 150 feet of the outer edge of any public building within which absentee ballots are being cast;
(2) Within within a room in any public building in which absentee ballots are being cast on any day; or
(3) Within 25 feet of any voter standing in line to vote by absentee ballot.
(d) No person shall solicit signatures for any petition on any day in which an absentee ballot may be cast by a voter:
(1) Within 150 feet of the outer edge of any public building within which absentee ballots are being cast;
(2) Within within a room in any public building in which absentee ballots are being cast on any day; or
(3) Within 25 feet of any voter standing in line to vote by absentee ballot.
(e) This Code section shall not be construed to prohibit a poll officer from distributing materials, as required by law, which are necessary for the purpose of instructing electors or from distributing materials prepared by the Secretary of State which are designed solely for the purpose of encouraging voter participation in the election being conducted.
(f) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.