House measure shortens municipal early voting periods

Georgia’s House has approved a measure that would shrink municipal early voting periods for primaries and elections from 21 days to six, including a Saturday.

But House Bill 891 includes a new amendment allowing cities to retain their three-week early voting periods, so long as they can get legislative approval. House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams offered the amendment, citing the importance of "local control."

Republican state Rep. Barry Fleming of Harlem said he is sponsoring HB 891 to help cities control their election-related costs.