Online Voting Study Committee
A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA, TO REQUEST THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ESTABLISH ONLINE STATE-WIDE VOTING AS WRITTEN BY LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON.
WHEREAS, the right to vote is a fundamental principle of American democracy; and WHEREAS, removing implements to civic participation will promote a more engaged and representative society; and WHEREAS, expanding the opportunity to vote, to include online voting, is a natural progression in creating a more secure, convenient, and accessible opportunity for citizens to exercise a fundamental principle of American democracy; and WHEREAS, through the establishment of online voting, the State of Georgia, Counties and Local Municipalities will be able to reduce the financial burden associated with staffing various elections; and WHEREAS, the technology and security used in the 2020 census that allows citizens to complete this process online is potentially a feasible and appropriate comparison for online voting; and WHEREAS, several states have or are currently piloting an online voter application using blockchain technology for certain members of the military, their families, and staff who are stationed overseas under state e-voting laws in conjunction with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (OCAVA). NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the governing authority of DeKalb County, Georgia that the following is requested:
- The General Assembly study and consider adopting legislation that provides for the use of online statewide voting; including the funding for the establishment of such system;
- In considering the implementation of an online statewide voting system, the General Assembly shall investigate all appropriate online platforms, including, but not limited to the online platform currently being utilized for the 2020 census and the blockchain technology being piloted in several states for online voting that will also allow for intelligent ballot tracking and immediate notification of 2 citizens of all cast votes; and
- In their consideration of implementing an online statewide voting system the General Assembly shall investigate the security and feasibility of online voting, to include methods to ensure that appropriate records are kept for verification and confirmation purposes to document and memorialize all online votes cast.
ADOPTED by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, this _____ day of June, 2020.
The Governing Authority of DeKalb County authorizes the Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County to execute all necessary documents for such purposes. ADOPTED by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, this ____ day of June, 2022. ________________ Presiding Officer Board of Commissioners DeKalb County, Georgia APPROVED by the Chief Executive Officer, this _____ day of June, 2020. ______________ MICHAEL L. THURMOND Chief Executive Officer DeKalb County, Georgia ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO SUBSTANCE: _________________ BARBARA H. SANDERS-NORWOOD, CCC ZACHARY L. WILLIAMS County Clerk Chief Operating Officer Board of Commissioners and DeKalb County, Georgia Chief Executive Officer APPROVED AS TO FORM: ____________________ VIVIANE H. ERNSTES County Attorney DeKalb County, Georgia