Rules & Laws
Rules & Laws
Official rules, proposed amendments, rulemaking notices, adopted resolutions, and the Georgia election laws that govern our work.
The Georgia State Election Board is committed to ensuring transparency in the rulemaking process and providing public access to the laws and rules that govern Georgia’s elections. This page serves as a central resource for the Official State Election Board Rules, proposed rule amendments, rulemaking notices, and applicable Georgia election laws.
The State Election Board adopts and amends its rules in accordance with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (APA), O.C.G.A. Title 50, Chapter 13. During the rulemaking process, members of the public are encouraged to review proposed rules and submit written comments during the designated public comment period. Public participation is an important part of the Board’s rulemaking process.
Use the resources on this page to:
- View the Official Georgia State Election Board Rules
- Access the Georgia Election Laws (O.C.G.A. Title 21)
- Review proposed rules and rule amendments
- Read rulemaking notices and supporting documents
- Submit public comments on pending rule proposals
Current Rules
The complete, currently effective State Election Board Rules are published and maintained by the Georgia Secretary of State. You can also review the Georgia election laws in O.C.G.A. Title 21.
Proposed Rules & Public Comment
When the Board proposes a new rule or an amendment, the proposed text and a notice of rulemaking are published for a designated public comment period. During that period, members of the public may submit written comments for the Board’s consideration before a rule is adopted.
Rulemaking Process
The State Election Board follows the rulemaking procedures set out in the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (O.C.G.A. Title 50, Chapter 13). Key provisions include:
- O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4 — Procedures for the adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules, including public notice and the opportunity to submit comments.
- O.C.G.A. § 50-13-9 — The right of any interested person to petition the Board for the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a rule.
You can read the full Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, including the step-by-step rulemaking requirements, in O.C.G.A. Title 50, Chapter 13.
Adopted Rules
Rules adopted by the State Election Board are certified through the Administrative Procedure Act process and published by the Georgia Secretary of State. The complete set of adopted State Election Board rules is available in the Georgia Rules and Regulations.
On the download page, choose “Department 183. RULES OF STATE ELECTION BOARD” to open the complete rules PDF.
Proposed Rules & Public Comment
When the State Election Board proposes a new rule or a rule amendment, the proposed rule text and the notice of rulemaking are published here during the designated public comment period. Written comments may be submitted by email to electionboard@seb.ga.gov.
The Board is currently accepting public comment on proposed amendments to Rule 183-1-11-.01 (Ballot Secrecy). Written comments must be received by 12:00 noon on August 18, 2026, and the Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule at its meeting on August 19, 2026.
Adopted SEB Rules (183) – 2026
The State Election Board adopted amendments to the rules listed below. The effective date for each rule is noted with its title, beginning with the latest effective date. The amendments to Rule 183-1-15-.02 and Rule 183-1-12-.12 were adopted on July 8, 2026, and filed on July 21, 2026.
Adopted Resolutions
Formal resolutions adopted by the State Election Board, organized by year.
2026
2025
Rulemaking Under the Administrative Procedure Act
This diagram traces the path a proposed rule follows under the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4), from the point an agency begins rulemaking through the rule’s final publication. It shows the process across three tracks — the agency, the legislature, and the Governor — including the required public notice and hearing, the agency’s decision whether to adopt the rule, and the legislative committee objection and override steps that may apply before a rule takes effect. After a rule is adopted and filed with the Secretary of State, it becomes effective and is codified in the official “Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia.”