House Bill 487

Chair's Name: Austin Scott

Committee: Governmental Affairs

House Sponsor: Austin Scott

HB 487 makes two main changes to the election laws: the margin of victory and the date of the presidential primary. In primaries, special primaries, and general elections, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins, so long as that number makes up at least 45% of the vote. If no candidate receives 45%, a runoff will be conducted. In municipal elections, there is no required percentage; just the highest number of votes is required for victory. 

This bill also changes presidential primary timeline by moving the deadline for state executive committees to provide their list of candidates to the secretary of state from December 31 to November 1 and changing the month of publication for the list of candidates from January to December.

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Governmental Affairs Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule. 

Chairman Scott's opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

This bill will help ensure Georgia is a major player in deciding who gets their party's nomination for president.  With many other states moving there primaries to early February, the race would be over by the time Georgia voted in March, under current law.

Further, HB 487 addresses the enormous expense of run-off elections that have very low voter turnout by lowering the threshold of victory from a majority to a plurality of 45% and subsequently decreasing the number of run-offs being held.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

HB 487 comes out of a desire for presidential hopefuls to actively campaign in Georgia and an attempt to save tax dollars by limiting run-off elections.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Reduces the Tax Burden on our Citizens:

By reducing the number of run-off elections, the cost to counties and the state for elections is decreased