GA SB536

Prohibits voter suppression and vote dilution by political subdivisions and state agencies, establishing violations based on material disparities in voter participation or impairment of protected class members' ability to participate in the political process

Creates the Georgia Voting Rights Commission with five commissioners serving staggered five-year terms, selected through a nominating committee process and appointed by the Secretary of State, with authority to subpoena witnesses and compel document production

Requires covered political subdivisions to obtain preclearance from the commission before implementing new election policies, with coverage triggered by factors including prior voting rights violations, voter registration disparities of 10+ percentage points, or poverty/arrest rate disparities affecting protected classes

Mandates language assistance programs for jurisdictions meeting demographic thresholds (3%+ or 5,000+ limited English proficient voters for Tier 1; 1%+ or 1,500+ for Tier 2), including translated ballots, bilingual poll workers, and telephone interpretation services effective July 1, 2028

Establishes the Georgia Voting and Elections Database and Institute at a state university to maintain 12 years of election data, and allows private enforcement through civil actions with prevailing plaintiffs entitled to recover attorney's fees and costs