Speaker Ralston Considers Major Voting Changes

Georgia’s most powerful state legislator will not, at least for now, consider sweeping changes to absentee voting laws advocated by some lawmakers. In his own party, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston expressed dissent over calls from the Republican Senate Caucus to end no-excuse absentee ballots - which enable Georgians to vote by mail without having to cite a reason, but the Speaker is pushing for other significant voting changes, announcing his intent to appoint a new elections committee and a desire to take election duties away from the secretary of state’s office. Legislators are set to return to the capitol on Monday for what observers predict will be a contentious session.