Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia Department 183 - RULES OF STATE ELECTION BOARD
Here’s the official source of interest:
The Georgia Secretary of State website hosts the full Department 183 – Rules of the State Election Board, which is accessible online and available for PDF download (rules.sos.ga.gov).
📄 Key Highlights from Department 183 (2025 Compendium)
Chapter 183‑1: Georgia Election Code
**Subject 183‑1‑6: Registration of Electors**
• Rule 183‑1‑6‑.06 – Verification of U.S. Citizenship
Applications must include appropriate proof (e.g., GA driver’s license, birth certificate, tribal documents). Registrars must follow up within 10 days of receipt for missing documentation, and may accept evidence up to election day if submitted timely (rules.sos.state.ga.us).
**Subject 183‑1‑7: Election Districts & Polling Places**
• Rule 183‑1‑7‑.01 – Precincts & Boundary Changes
If precinct lines change, affected voters must be mailed notices at least 30 days prior to the next election (rules.sos.state.ga.us).
**Subject 183‑1‑8: Dates of Primaries & Elections**
• Rule 183‑1‑8‑.01 – Calls for Primaries/Elections
All official calls must include the date of first newspaper publication; timelines are computed from that date (rules.sos.state.ga.us).
**Subject 183‑1‑12: Preparation & Conduct of Elections**
• Rule 183‑1‑12‑.01 – Conduct of Elections
Since 2020, Georgia uses optical-scan voting systems, with paper ballots available for emergencies. All voting system parts must be sealed, transported securely, and polling places organized to ensure privacy and integrity (regulations.justia.com, rules.sos.ga.gov).
• Other detailed rules cover acceptance testing, storage, transport, tabulation, emergency paper ballots, logic and accuracy testing, and provisional ballots (rules.sos.state.ga.us).
📥 Accessing the Full Compilation
You can download the complete PDF of Department 183 directly from the Georgia SOS site, which includes all chapters and subject areas, current as of mid‑2025 (rules.sos.state.ga.us).
💡 Context on Recent Developments & Debates
In August 2024, the State Election Board adopted emergency rules giving local boards discretion—such as initiating a “reasonable inquiry” and holding certification—for potential discrepancies (theguardian.com).
However, in March 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court heard arguments affirming the lower court’s decision to block seven of those rules (e.g., hand counting ballots, photo ID for absentee voting, expanded poll-watcher zones, withholding certification)—calling them unconstitutional and void (apnews.com).
These legal challenges affected the future enforcement and interpretation of parts of Department 183.
✅ Summary
Department 183 is the comprehensive codification of election rules enforced by the Georgia State Election Board.
Core areas include voter registration, precinct management, election day procedures, ballot handling, and equipment security.
Recent emergency rules have been partially blocked pending legal resolution, meaning some procedures remain in flux.
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