FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 GREATER GEORGIA ISSUES STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF NEW BILL TO BAN OUTSIDE FUNDING OF ELECTIONS ATLANTA – Today, former U.S. Senator and Greater Georgia Chairwoman Kelly Loeffler issued a statement in support of SB 222, a new bill designed to stop the circumvention of existing state law to ensure that no county in Georgia is legally permitted to accept outside money to fund election operations. The legislation was introduced after Greater Georgia blew the whistle on DeKalb County - who, earlier this month, covertly sought and then accepted $2 million in grant funding from the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence. The Alliance is backed by the Center for Tech and Civic Life, which in 2020 partnered with Mark Zuckerberg to funnel $45 million into boards of election in Georgia – primarily in blue counties. "What's happening right now in Georgia is crystal clear: ideological groups and certain counties are testing our resolve to enforce state law, while attempting to influence local elections,” said Loeffler. "Thankfully, Lt. Governor Burt Jones and our lawmakers have taken swift action to fortify existing laws that ban outside funding for local boards of election through SB 222, which will ensure that our elections are never bought and paid for by special or partisan interests. Greater Georgia is proud to endorse the legislation, and calls for its urgent passage by members of the Georgia General Assembly." Although Georgia's Election Integrity Act banned local boards of election from accepting outside money in 2021, DeKalb County exploited a loophole in the law last month. As one DeKalb official reportedly explained to a local media outlet: "since election offices are not allowed to receive grants directly, the lengthy application process was led by the county’s finance department." SB 222 would enforce the original intent of Georgia's election laws - and ensure that local boards of election are solely funded by taxpayer dollars. Greater Georgia, launched by former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler in 2021, is a 501(c4) nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to growing participation in the democratic process by mobilizing and empowering voters. The group works year-round to educate and register voters, engage with diverse and underrepresented communities, and protect election integrity. ### Media Contact: [email protected] Paid for by Greater Georgia Action, Inc. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. www.GreaterGeorgia.com   Greater Georgia Action, Inc | P.O. Box 550988, Atlanta, GA 30355 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!