>>> THE MARCH 8th EXPANSION WILL OPEN UP VACCINE TO ROUGHLY 1 MILLION MORE GEORGIANS.

SO WE DEFINITELY EXPECT HEAVY DEMAND IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT WE'RE STANDING UP FIVE ADDITIONAL STATE-OPERATED MASS VACCINATION SITES IN CHATHAM, WARE, WASHINGTON, BART TOE BARTOW, AND MISCELLANEOUS COEG DECOUNTIES.

>> EXPANSION OF MASS VACCINATION SITES, INCREASING THE STATE'S CAPACITY FOR 45,000 VACCINATIONS A DAY AT NINE LOCATIONS.

WELCOME TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY IN ATLANTA ON THIS LEGISLATIVE DAY 26.

THE STATE SITES ARE IN ADDITION TO THE VACCINATIONS TAKING PLACE AT PRIVATE LOCATIONS, AT STORES AND OTHER PLACES ACROSS GEORGIA.

WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE COMING UP IN A MOMENT.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, A BILL TO CUT INCOME TAXES PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE.

ELECTION REFORM ISSUES CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE SESSION WITH THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ANNOUNCING A WAY TO MAKE SURE ALL GEORGIANS CAN GET A STATE-ISSUED I.D.

CARD.

>>> PLUS WHAT DOES SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER THINK OF ALL THE ELECTION BILLS, GIVEN THE INVESTIGATION SHOWING NO EVIDENCE OF ELECTION PROBLEMS IN GEORGIA?

WE'LL HAVE HIS INTERVIEW WITH GPB'S STEVEN FOWLER IN THE SHOW.

>>> FIRST, LET'S HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME AND A WRAP-UP OF THE DAY'S NEWS WITH CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS.

>> Reporter: THOSE 83,000 JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE DOSES EXPECTED TO ARRIVE THIS WEEK HERE IN GEORGIA, WILL BE PRIORITIZED FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS.

THAT ANNOUNCEMENT CAME FROM GOVERNOR BRIAN KEMP THIS AFTERNOON.

AND THERE WAS OTHER POSITIVE NEWS.

>> WE'RE ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT WE'RE STANDING UP FIVE ADDITIONAL STATE-OPERATED MASS VACCINATION SITES IN CHATHAM, WARE, WASHINGTON, BARTOW, AND MUSKOGEE COUNTIES, WHICH WILL INCREASE OUR WEEKLY CAPACITY AT STATE SITES TO 45,000 DOSES FOR ALL NINE LOCATIONS.

AGAIN, THOSE SITES WILL BE IN SAVANNAH, WAYCROSS, SANDERSVILLE, CARTERSVILLE, AND COLUMBUS.

>> Reporter: MORE GOOD NEWS, THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES CONTINUES TO DROP IN GEORGIA AS DO HOSPITALIZATIONS.

IN LIGHT OF RECENT VOTING BILLS, HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID RALSTON DAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON TO PROPOSE FREE STATE I.D.s FOR ALL ELIGIBLE GEORGIANS.

NOW THIS WOULD BE A CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DRIVER SERVICES.

>> THIS STATE I.D.

CARD, WHICH IS SIMILAR IN FORM TO A DRIVER'S LICENSE, IS REAL I.D.

COMPLIANT AND CAN BE USED TO OPEN A CHECKING ACCOUNT, BOARD A COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE, OR VOTE.

I AM COMMITTED TO ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO VOTING FOR ALL LEGALLY ELIGIBLE GEORGIANS.

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EFFORT TO MAKE OUR ELECTIONS MORE SECURE AND ACCESSIBLE.

>> Reporter: SPEAKER RALSTON SAYS THERE IS $250,000 IN THE 2022 BUDGET TO FUND THIS EFFORT.

RALSTON ALSO SPOKE TO A PROPOSED PAY RAISE FROM LAWMAKERS AND OTHER STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

HOUSE SPEAKER RALSTON SAYS THAT IT'S BEEN 18 TO 20 YEARS SINCE THEY HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THOSE PROPOSED RAISES.

THE SALARY OF EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD INCREASE FROM JUST OVER $16,000 TO NEARLY $30,000.

THE DAILY EXPENSE ALLOWANCE WOULD ALSO INCREASE.

AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S SALARY WOULD INCREASE FROM ALMOST $55,000 TO $135,000.

>> THIS WAS NOT POLITICIANS THAT DID THIS, THIS WAS BUSINESSPEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE.

WE FOUND OUT THAT WE WERE AMONG THE LOWEST STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

BY THE SAKE TOKEN, WE'RE ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING, IN THE UPPER TIER OF LARGE STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

SO I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE.

IF PEOPLE CAN VOTE FOR IT OR AGAINST IT -- WE DIDN'T, BY THE WAY, WE DID NOT GO TO THE FULL RECOMMENDATION OF THIS GROUP.

>> Reporter: GRADUATION RATES COULD BE ON THE UP WITH SENATE BILL 204.

SENATOR LINSEY TIPPENS IS THE LEAD SPONSOR OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM OF GEORGIA TO AWARD HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.

>> THIS BILL WOULD DO MORE TO ENHANCE THE GRADUATION RATES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND PROVIDE US A WORKFORCE THAT'S WELL TRAINED, MORE QUICKLY THAN ANY OTHER INITIATIVE THAT I'VE SEEN IN 10 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE.

THIS WILL ENABLE THOSE WHO HAVE DROPPED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL BECAUSE OF MAYBE SOME STIGMA THAT THEY HAVE, THEY CAN GET A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

THOSE WERE ARE ADULTS CAN COME BACK AND GET A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA INSTEAD OF A GED.

THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT HAVE REACHED -- STARTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, ARE 16 YEARS OLD, CAN ENROLL IN TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

>> Reporter: HOUSE BILL 593 WOULD MEAN MORE MONEY IN YOUR WALLET, ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

THIS MEASURE THAT WOULD CUT INCOME TAXES WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE SH SHAW BLACKMON.

>> HOUSE WILL 593 WOULD RAISE THE STANDARD DEDUCTION ON SINGLES FROM 4,600 TO 5,400, AND MARRIED FROM 6,000 TO 7,100.

A MODEST INCREASE, GIVES GEORGIANS SOME TAX RELIEF, AFFECTS THE MOST NUMBER OF GEORGIANS, ALLOWS THEM TO KEEP SOME OF THEIR OWN MONEY.

>> Reporter: HOUSE BILL 593 WOULD CUT TAXES FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES, CREATE JOBS, AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

IT PASSED 171-0.

ALSO ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY, HOUSE BILL 248 HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION.

IT WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALAN POWELL.

AND WHAT BITE DO IS TAKE THE POWER AWAY FROM SCHOOL BOARDS AND GIVE IT TO CITIES AND COUNTIES WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING SPEED CAMERAS.

>> AND THERE'S BEEN SOME KIND OF PROBLEMS, FOR THE LIFE OF ME I DON'T KNOW WHAT BECAUSE SEEMS TO ME LIKE IT MUST BE SOME MONEY OR SOMETHING INVOLVED.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE PROTECTING CHILDREN, YOU'RE MAKING IT A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR FOLKS.

THAT OUGHT TO BE WHAT WE'RE AFTER, KEEP SOME OF THESE CHILDREN FROM GETTING RUN OVER.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT SAYS THAT THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY, WHETHER IT BE A COUNTY OR A CITY, THE CITY POLICE OR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THEY CAN DO THE APPLICATION FOR THE PERMIT FROM GDOT.

THAT'S WHAT IT DOES.

>> Reporter: WHAT WILL NOT CHANGE IN THIS BILL IS WHERE MONEY WILL GO FROM SPEEDING VIOLATIONS.

IT WOULD STILL GO TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

HB-248 PASSED 133-35.

MANY LAWMAKERS WHO VOTED AGAINST IT SAY THEY DID SO BECAUSE THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS OPPOSED IT.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, I LEAVE YOU WITH A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE VERNON JORDAN WHO DIED MONDAY.

TODAY FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR, REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SMYRE TALKED ABOUT THE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER AND ADVISER TO MANY PRESIDENTS.

>> I GOT THE CALL THAT VERNON JORDAN HAD PASSED.

IT WAS A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT MOMENT FOR ME.

AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN AMERICA.

PRESIDENTS SOUGHT HIM OUT FOR ADVICE.

HE WAS AN ADVISER TO EVERY PRESIDENT SINCE LYNDON JOHNSON, AND HE WORKED VERY, VERY CLOSELY WITH BILL CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA AND BOTH THE BUSH PRESIDENTS, PRESIDENTS RONALD REAGAN AND JIMMY CARTER.

HE WAS A TREMENDOUS -- HE WAS A GIANT OF A PERSON, HE WAS ABSOLUTELY -- WHEN YOU GOT HIM, IT WAS ALWAYS A JOY.

HE WAS ALWAYS AMICABLE.

HE WAS JUST A PERSON THAT ALWAYS WANTED TO SHARE AND ALWAYS WANTED TO LIFT UP OTHER PEOPLE, OTHER PEOPLE UP.

>> Reporter: JORDAN DIED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

BUT GREW UP IN ATLANTA.

HE WAS 85 YEARS OLD.

THAT'S MY CAPITOL REPORT, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF THE SHOW FOCUSING ON GEORGIA'S ELECTIONS, INCLUDING THE DOZENS OF BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

I'M HAPPY TO WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" GPB'S POLITICAL AND ELECTIONS REPORTER STEVEN FOWLER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

YOU HAD AN EXTENSIVE ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

DONE THAT, IT'S BEEN QUITE A YEAR FOR BRAD RAFFENSPERGER.

AT THE START OF 2020 THERE WAS NO PANDEMIC, THERE WAS THE ROLLOUT OF A NEW VOTING SYSTEM, NO RECOUNTS.

AND SUCH AN UNEXPECTED YEAR FOR BRAD RAFFENSPERGER.

I ASKED HIM TO REFLECT A LITTLE BIT ON HOW THINGS WERE SUPPOSED TO GO.

>> 14 MONTHS AGO, IN JANUARY 2020, WE'RE LOOKING AT ROLLING OUT A NEW VERIFIABLE PAPER BALLOT SYSTEM TO SECURE THE VOTE.

SO THAT WAS A LONG-FOUGHT BATTLE TO MAKE SURE WE HAD A PAPER BALLOT SYSTEM.

NOW IS OUR BIG FOCUS TO GET READY FOR THE MARCH PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.

>> WITH THE PRIMARY, IT WAS DELAYED.

THEN DELAYED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

HOW DID A GLOBAL PANDEMIC DERAIL YOUR PLANS FOR ROLLING OUT THE LARGEST-EVER ROLLOUT OF VOTING EQUIPMENT IN U.S. HISTORY?

>> WELL, WE GOT THE ROLLOUT DONE.

LARGEST AND FASTEST IN THE HISTORY.

AND WE WERE READY AND HAD TWO WEEKS OF EARLY VOTING, PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.

THEN OBVIOUSLY THE PANDEMIC HIT.

EVERY DAY POLL WORKERS WERE CALLING IN SICK OR FEARING -- THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COME IN BECAUSE OF FEAR OF COVID.

THEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS SUSPENDED.

AND SO WE HAD TO DO A 180 IMMEDIATELY.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO VOTE IN A PANDEMIC?

>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT GEORGIA DID TO MAKE VOTING EASIER IN 2020 -- SECURE DROP BOXES, ONLINE REQUEST PORTAL, SENDING PEOPLE ABSENTEE APPLICATIONS -- THOSE AREN'T THINGS YOU WOULD TYPICALLY ASSOCIATE WITH REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE.

WHY DID YOU MAKE THOSE CHOICES, WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT GEORGIANS HAVE ALL THREE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC?

>> WELL, GEORGIA'S NOT A MAIL-IN STATE.

WE KNOW THE PEOPLE LIKE TO VOTE IN PERSON.

BUT WHEN THE CDC, THE PRESIDENT, AND OUR GOVERNOR AND OTHER FOLKS ARE SAYING, STAY AT HOME, SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDER -- BUT IF YOU'RE 50 OR OLDER WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION, REGARDLESS OF AGE, YOU WERE STAYING AT HOME.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE ABSENTEE.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S SECURE.

THAT'S WHY WE STOOD THAT UP ONLINE PORTAL THAT CONNECTED YOU TO PHOTO I.D., WITH PEOPLE LIKE -- THE CONCEPT OF PHOTO I.D.

SECURES THE VOTE.

>> WHAT IS YOUR WISH LIST AS LAWMAKERS ENTER THE FINAL MONTH OF THE SESSION, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO FOCUS ON FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA?

>> NUMBER ONE WOULD BE MAKING SURE WE SECURE PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE AND SECURE THE ACCURACY OF THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESS.

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

WE BROUGHT THAT LAW IN, 2005, IT NEEDS UPDATING NOW.

YOU THINK ABOUT IT, A YEAR AGO, WE WERE BEING SUED BY THE DEMOCRATS, THEY DID NOT LIKE SIGNATURE MATCH.

THEY SAID IT WAS UNVERIFIABLE, UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

NOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THE SAME THING.

YOU'RE POSTING UP THE SAME SONG SHEET, SO MAYBE A VERIFIABLE COMPONENT WITH THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESS.

>> I WANT TO READ SOMETHING THAT'S AT THE END OF EVERY PRESS RELEASE THAT GOES OUT.

"GEORGIA'S RECOGNIZED AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN ELECTIONS.

IT WAS THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO IMPLEMENT THE TRIFECTA OF AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, AT LEAST 16 DAYS OF EARLY VOTING WHICH HAS BEEN CALLED THE GOLD STANDARD, AND NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING."

ALL THREE OF THOSE POLICIES ARE IN JEOPARDY OF BEING REMOVED UNDER BILLS MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO SOME OF THESE BILLS THAT WOULD UNDO THE THINGS THAT LED TO A RECORD NUMBER OF GEORGIANS HEADING TO THE POLLS, A RECORD NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS HEADING TO THE POLLS, THAT WOULD TURN GEORGIA FROM A LEADER IN ELECTIONS TO ONE OF THE MOST RESTRICTIVE IN THE COUNTRY?

>> WELL, AS IT RELATES TO REGISTRATION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF DRIVER SERVICES, WE THINK THAT'S A GOOD BILL.

IT REALLY CONNECTS VOTERS BACK TO THE DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH THEIR PHOTO I.D.

IT'S A SAFE AND SECURE -- WE THINK THAT'S A GREAT COMPONENT FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS, TO HAVE PHOTO I.D.

IN PLACE.

THAT IS I THINK SECURE, I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, AND IT WORKS WELL.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE BILL THAT WOULD MAKE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION GO AWAY, REQUIRE VOTERS TO OPT IN TO UPDATE THEIR REGISTRATION, INSTEAD OF OPT OUT?

>> I THINK YOU'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE STATES OF THAT THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE IN GEORGIA, WITH THE OPT OUT.

THAT THEY FEEL THAT THAT IS ACTUALLY A MORE SECURE PROCESS.

AND WE'LL SEE HOW THAT REALLY MOVES THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I THINK THE CURRENT LAW HAS BEEN SHOWN TO WORK WELL.

>> THE HOUSE PASSED HB-531.

66 PAGES.

IT DOES A LOT OF THINGS, RANGING FROM BANNING DIRECT GRANT FUNDING TO COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICIALS, TO SHORTENING THE WINDOW FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

ONE OF THE THINGS, IT WOULD CHANGE EARLY VOTING LAWS TO REQUIRE EVERY COUNTY TO HAVE THE SAME SET OF DAYS, THE SAME SET OF HOURS, AND GIVE THEM THE OPTION OF HAVING EITHER THE FIRST SATURDAY OR FIRST SUNDAY OF EARLY VOTING.

DEMOCRATS AND VOTING RIGHTS GROUPS SAY IT'S DISCRIMINATORY, ESPECIALLY WITH BLACK VOTERS WHO USE SUNDAY VOTING AS A SOULS TO THE POLLS OUTREACH EFFORT.

EARLY VOTING IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR VOTING METHODS IN GEORGIA AND DIDN'T REALLY SEE VERY MANY PROBLEMS IN ANY OF THE ELECTIONS IN 2020.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED FOR THE SAKE OF UNIFORMITY?

>> WELL, THAT'S THE -- I THINK THE DIRECTION THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAD IS UNIFORMITY.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL THE COUNTIES ARE TREATED SIMILAR.

MUCH AS YOU CAN.

BECAUSE SOME COUNTIES HAVE 2,500 PEOPLE, OTHERS HAVE 1 MILLION PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THEY'LL CAREFULLY WEIGH THAT.

BUT BEFORE IT HAD 16 DAYS MINIMUM, NOW IT WILL HAVE 17 DAYS SET FOR EARLY VOTING.

SO ONE ADDITIONAL DAY HAS BEEN SET.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT MOVES THROUGH THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AT THE END OF SESSION.

>> IN THE SENATE, THEIR VERSION OF THE OMNIBUS BILL WOULD GET RID OF NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION VOTERS USED IT IN NOVEMBER, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, ESPECIALLY IN A PANDEMIC WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT NOT FEEL SAFE SHOWING UP TO THE POLLS.

ABSENTEE BY MAIL VOTING ALSO IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PASSED BY REPUBLICANS IN 2005.

DO YOU SUPPORT GETTING RID OF NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING LIKE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE WOULD PROPOSE?

>> I'VE MADE THAT POINT THAT I ACTUALLY BELIEVE THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE IS FOR THE COUNTIES BEING ABLE TO MANAGE ELECTIONS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IS COUNTIES ARE REALLY IN EFFECT RUNNING THREE ELECTIONS.

AN ABSENT TEE BALLOT PROGRAM, 16 DAYS OF EARLY VOTING, THEN THE ELECTION DAY PROGRAM.

IT'S PLACED A TREMENDOUS BURDEN ON THE COUNTIES.

WE REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT, WHAT COULD WE DO THAT'S PROCESS THAT WORKS FOR THE COUNTIES?

I DON'T BELIEVE ENOUGH OF THE COUNTY ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE DISCUSSIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY HEARD ON THESE ISSUES.

I MADE MY POINT THAT I BELIEVE THAT THERE PROBABLY SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF REASONABLE PROCESS WITH AN EXCUSE BASE, BUT I KNOW THAT OTHER FOLKS IN LEADERSHIP HAVE ALREADY STATED THEIR POSITION.

SO WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

>> DO YOU THINK THESE REACTIONARY MEASURES ARE TRULY REFLECTIVE OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE VOTING MORE SECURE AND TO HELP THOSE COUNTY OFFICIALS PROCESS THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE?

>> I THINK THAT BE A SENT TEE BALLOTING, IT WON'T GO BACK TO THE 5%, 6% HISTORICAL, BUT PROBABLY 15%, 15 PERCENT.

IT -- 10%, 15%.

PEOPLE IN GEORGIA LIKE TO VOTE IN PERSON.

TO YOUR POINT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T -- THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOESN'T REACT TO THE PAST ELECTION, THEY REALLY LOOK AT, HOW CAN I SECURE AND GIVE PEOPLE CONFIDENCE IN THE ACCURACY OF THE RESULTS?

AND I THINK PHOTO I.D.

FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTING MAKES SENSE.

IT'S GOOD PROCESS.

IT'S BEEN TREATING ALL FORMS OF VOTING -- USE PHOTO I.D.

WHEN YOU VOTE IN PERSON FOR EARLY VOTING, ELECTION DAY, AND ALSO THAT MAKES SENSE.

I THINK VOTERS BELIEVE IN THAT.

>> SO HOW DO YOU SEPARATE THE TYPE OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION POLICIES THAT COUNTY OFFICIALS WANT, LIKE LIMITING THE WINDOW FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS, MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION, WITH THESE SORT OF TOPICS THAT ARE GROUNDED IN FALSE CLAIMS OF ELECTION FRAUD IN TRYING TO MAKE ELECTIONS BETTER?

>> I DO THINK THAT, AS IT RELATES TO THE COUNTIES, WE NEED TO BRING THEM IN AS PARTNERS.

COUNTIES RUN THE ELECTIONS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN RUN THE PROCESS.

WE NEED TO SET THE TABLE PROPERLY AND APPROPRIATELY FOR THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

BECAUSE IF YOU REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT THREE DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT.

YOU SHOULD HAVE A CUTOFF, AND IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

SO IT REALLY WILL WORK FOR THE VOTER, ALSO WORK FOR THE COUNTY OFFICIALS.

IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE, BUT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET THEIR BALLOT IN TIME.

I THINK SOME OF THOSE, THE COUNTY WOULD SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS AND I'VE STATED SO.

>> 2022, YOU'LL BE UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

IT WILL BE AFTER FOUR YEARS OF SOME OF THE MOST TUMULTUOUS, DRAMATIC, INTENSE YEARS THAT GEORGIA'S SEEN.

AS A REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE WHO HAS OFTEN DEFIED EXPECTATIONS AND DRIVEN A LOT OF INTEREST IN VOTING, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR LEGACY WILL BE WHEN YOU STAND FOR RE-ELECTION?

>> I THINK OUR LEGACY WILL BE THAT WE SECURED THE VOTE.

WE HAVE A VERIFIABLE PAPER BALLOT.

WE'LL HAVE PHOTO I.D.

FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTING GOING FORWARD.

I THINK THOSE ARE TWO CRITICAL ASPECTS THAT WE NEED TO INCORPORATE IN ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA.

>> SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HEARD.

COMING UP, GPB'S STEVEN FOWLER WILL GIVE INSIGHT INTO HIS INTERVIEW WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

AND WE'RE JOINED BY JOURNALIST RILEY BUNCH.

>>> LAWMAKERS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GEORGIA FARM BUREAU.

80 YEARS OF HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE.

AG IS GEORGIA'S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.

FOOD AND FIBER PRODUCTION REPRESENTS OVER $74 BILLION IN OUTPUT OF GEORGIA'S STRONG ECONOMY.

THE GEORGIA FARM BUREAU LEGISLATIVE TEAM WORKS TO REPRESENT PRODUCERS ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE SESSION AND YEAR ROUND.

GEORGIA FARM BUREAU, THE VOICE OF GEORGIA FARMERS.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS."

I'M DONNA LOWRY.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH GPB'S POLITICAL AND ELECTION REPORTER STEVEN FOWLER AND REPORTER RILEY BUNCH.

STEVEN, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE INTERVIEW WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> DONNA, THERE ARE ABOUT 80 OR SO VOTING BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED IN BOTH CHAMBERS SO FAR.

MOST OF THEM HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH TRACTION IN COMMITTEES.

BUT WE HAVE THE OMNIBUS BILLS IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

AND AS A SIGN OF JUST HOW VOLATILE THESE BILLS ARE AND WHAT THE FINAL DISCUSSION IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, YOU HAVE THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIAL, THE ONE WHO HAS THE GREATEST INSIGHT ON WHAT MIGHT NEED TO BE CHANGED, NOT REALLY SAY A WHOLE LOT ABOUT WHAT HE SUPPORTS AND ENDORSES BEYOND ADDING THAT DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER TO THE ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION.

I THINK IT MEANS THIS FINAL FEW WEEK STRETCH IS UP IN THE AIR.

SO WHAT VOTING CHANGES, WE MAY SEE.

>> YOU PUSHED HIM ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS AND HE SEEMED TO FOCUS ON THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PHOTO I.D.

PART OF IT.

HE REALLY WANTS TO SEE THAT.

>> YEAH, IF YOU LOOK AT HOW THE ELECTION WENT, YOU HAD MORE THAN -- NEARLY 5 MILLION PEOPLE VOTE.

YOU HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE VOTE BY MAIL.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE TYPICALLY USED.

AND THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT ABSENTEE.

SOME MORE BASED IN CONSPIRACY THAN OTHERS.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTION ABOUT HOW YOU VERIFY WHO YOU ARE SIGNING THE ABSENTEE BALLOT.

AND THE ARGUMENT FROM SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER AND OTHER REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS HAVING THAT DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER, WHICH MORE THAN 97% OF GEORGIANS HAVE, AS THE WAY TO VERIFY THE IDENTITY, WILL EASE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE AND TAKE AWAY THE SUBJECTIVE HANDWRITING ANALYSIS PART OF, DID YOU SIGN THAT SIGNATURE THE SAME WAY THAT YOU DID MAYBE 20 YEARS AGO WHEN YOU FIRST GOT YOUR LICENSE?

>> ARE YOU CLEAR ON WHETHER OR NOT SIGNATURES WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL, THOUGH?

>> WELL, THERE ARE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF BILLS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

AND IT DOES APPEAR THAT SIGNATURE MATCH IS THE ONE THING THAT WOULD BE GOING AWAY.

I MEAN, SECRETARY OF STATE SAID -- I THINK HE SAID BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE SINGING FROM THE SAME SONGBOOK NOW, THAT MAYBE SIGNATURES AREN'T THE BEST WAY TO GO.

>> SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

RILEY, THE SPEAKER, DAVID RALSTON, SAID TODAY THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FREE I.D.

CARDS FOR ANYBODY.

EXPLAIN WHAT THAT'S ABOUT.

AND THEY WILL BE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN USE ON A FEDERAL BASIS.

EXPLAIN THAT.

>> YEAH, HOUSE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT HE'LL BE PUSHING THIS NEW PROPOSAL TO MAKE STATE I.D.s WHICH YOU CAN USE FOR VOTING, HE SAID TO BOARD A FLIGHT, TO SIGN UP FOR A CHECKING ACCOUNT, MAKING THEM FREE.

SO STATE I.D.s THROUGH DRIVER SERVICES RIGHT NOW ARE A LITTLE OVER $30 RIGHT NOW.

THEN WE HAVE VOTER IDENTIFICATION.

BUT HE PROPOSED A FRY STATE I.D.

THAT HE SAYS IS ACCESSIBLE AND MATCHES THE SECURITY THAT THEY ARE PROPOSING WITH THESE ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUIREMENTS.

THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT A NUMBER OF THE ABSENTEE BALLOT PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE FLOATING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

EVEN ONES IN HIS HOUSE RIGHT NOW THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PHOTO I.D.

REQUIREMENTS.

SO ADVOCATES MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT IT PUTS A BURDEN ON VOTERS, AND ESPECIALLY THE VOTERS THAT DON'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE TO PUT ON, SO THEY SAY ABOUT 200,000 GEORGIA VOTERS DON'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE THAT THEY CAN USE FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUIREMENT.

SO THIS IS KIND OF DAVID RALSTON'S REMEDY FOR THIS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY PROPOSALS IN HIS CHAMBER.

>> RIGHT.

AND STEVEN, RAFFENSPERGER TALKED ABOUT, YOU MENTIONED IT JUST A MOMENT AGO, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS BEING ON THE SAME PAGE FOR A FEW THINGS.

AND HE THINKS THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD ACTUALLY GET ALONG, I GUESS, AT THIS POINT.

REALLY KIND OF FOCUS ON WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON THAN THEIR DIFFERENCES, HE SEEMED TO BE SAYING.

>> WELL, THAT'S WISHFUL THINKING, I BELIEVE.

VOTING HAS BECOME SUCH A PARTISAN ISSUE.

YOU HAVE MOST OF THOSE 80 BILLS THAT RANGE IN THINGS -- THERE ARE A FEW BIPARTISAN MEASURES LIKE THERE'S A PROPOSAL TO MOVE THE DEADLINE FOR COUNTIES TO START PROCESSING ABSENTEE BALLOTS SOONER SO THERE'S NO DELAYS ON ELECTION DAY.

BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, BECAUSE YOU HAD REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE ESPECIALLY PUSHING SOME OF THESE FALSE CLAIMS OF ELECTION FRAUD AND THESE WIDESPREAD CHANGES TO VOTING HAPPENING, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR A KUMBAYA MOMENT WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING.

BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT COULD CHANGE AND SEE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> RIGHT.

HE SEEMED TO BE SAYING THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE SUED TO GET CERTAIN THINGS TO HAPPEN.

AND NOW THE REPUBLICANS ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING SOME OF THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

SO WHY AREN'T THEY MORE IN AGREEMENT ON THIS?

>> WELL, THAT'S CERTAINLY ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT IT.

DEMOCRATS HAVE ALSO MADE THE CASE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE THE ONES THAT PASSED NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING IN 2005, NOW SOME OF THEM WISH TO CHANGE IT.

SO I THINK IT GOES TO SHOW THAT THIS 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS GOING TO BE FULL OF SURPRISES AND FULL OF KIND OF CONTROVERSY TO FIGURE OUT HOW VOTING WILL CHANGE IN THE FUTURE AND HOW AMICABLE THOSE CHANGES MAY BE.

>> OKAY.

SO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CAPITOL.

LET'S TALK ABOUT OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL.

RILEY, YOU HAVE INTERACTED WITH SOME OF THE PROTESTERS.

THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE SURPRISED THERE WEREN'T MORE PROTESTERS, THEN AN EXPECTATION WE'D SEE THEM EVERY DAY.

DIDN'T SEE MANY TODAY.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

>> I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF WAYS TO DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL RIGHT NOW.

EVEN IF THERE AREN'T A LOT OF PROTESTERS THERE, THE ONES THERE, THEY HAVE ANGER AND FRUSTRATION.

EVEN THE LEVEL OF SADNESS.

BUT I THINK THE INTERESTING POINT TO DRIVE HOME IS THAT THERE'S NO SURPRISE.

THERE'S NO SURPRISE THAT THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE PROTESTING AGAINST THESE ELECTION BILLS, THAT THEY ARE HAPPENING.

I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO PEOPLE COULD SEE THIS COMING WITH THE DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN THAT WAS PUSHED LONG BEFORE VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOT.

I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO MENTION, EVEN THOUGH GEORGIA IS IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT RIGHT NOW AND IS, QUOTE-UNQUOTE, THE POLITICAL CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN LOTS OF OTHER STATES.

THERE'S A REPORT THAT CAME OUT IN MID-FEBRUARY THAT THERE'S MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THE AMOUNT OF ELECTION BILLS THAT WOULD RESTRICT BALLOT ACCESS IN LEGISLATURES NATIONWIDE THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

SO THIS IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S HITTING HOME IN GEORGIA.

>> AND YOU LOOKED ALSO INTO THE CORPORATE ASPECT OF ALL OF THIS.

A BIT INTO THE CORPORATE DONORS AND HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT ALL OF THIS.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> SO AFTER THE JANUARY 6th ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL, THERE WAS THIS BIG MORAL STAND FROM BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS, MANY IN GEORGIA, TO PAUSE POLITICAL GIVING, TO RETHINK THEIR POLITICAL GIVING POLICIES TO LAWMAKERS THAT VOTE -- WENT TO VOTE AGAINST THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE.

THERE'S REPORTING THAT CAME OUT TODAY THAT A LOT OF THE BIG COMPANIES THAT HAVE PUSHED VOTING RIGHTS CAMPAIGNS, LIKE COCA-COLA, HAVE BEEN DONATING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER TIME TO THE REPUBLICAN SPONSORS ON THESE VOTING MEASURES.

WHILE THIS ISN'T HUGELY SURPRISING BECAUSE THEY ARE THE LEADING STATE LAWMAKERS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RIGHT NOW, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THESE COMPANIES COME OUT AGAINST ANY OF THESE MORE RESTRICTIVE VOTING MEASURES.

>> WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT WHERE THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW.

HB-531 PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE, GOES TO THE SENATE.

THEN WE HAVE THE SENATE BILL THAT HAS MOVED, MOVED BACK.

EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON WITH SB-241.

>> THE SENATE OMNIBUS IS ALSO ABOUT 20-SOMETHING PAGES.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF CHANGES BEING PROPOSED.

SOME SCRIVENERS ERRORS, AS THEY SAY, FIXING AND TWEAKING SOME LANGUAGE.

BUT THESE OMNIBUS BILLS TOUCH ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT CODE SECTIONS.

SOMETIMES THINGS ADDED IN, SOMETIMES THINGS TAKEN AWAY.

YOU SHOULD SEE SB-241 ON THE SENATE FLOOR SOON.

IT'S GOT 31 OF THE 34 REPUBLICAN SENATORS COSPONSORING IT.

SO I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S GOING TO PASS.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL FIND OUT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL NOT GAVEL IN TOMORROW BECAUSE IT'S A COMMITTEE DAY.

THEY RETURN FOR A LEGISLATIVE DAY 27 ON FRIDAY.

BRENDA WATERS WILL HAVE A "LAWMAKERS CAPITOL REPORT" AT THE END OF THE "PBS NEWSHOUR."

MONDAY, CROSSOVER DAY AND A ONE-HOUR SPECIAL ON WHICH BILLS ARE VOTED OUT OF EACH CHAMBER WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING LAW.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.