ATLANTA – The February/March 2011 edition of James Magazine named State Representative Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming) one of the Most Influential Georgians of 2011.
“I am greatly humbled and honored to receive this recognition from James Magazine for the second year in a row now,” said Rep. Hamilton. “It is truly a privilege to represent and serve the citizens of Forsyth and Cherokee counties in the Georgia House of Representatives.”
James Magazine is widely considered one of the state’s top resources for Georgia political news and issues. In a list that has become an annual tradition, naming the “who’s who” of Georgia politics, the “2011 Most Influential Georgians” also includes House Speaker David Ralston (R- Blue Ridge), U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, Department of Transportation Commissioner Vance Smith and U.S. Congressman Tom Price.
Rep. Hamilton, Chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, sponsored two key voting reform measures this session that passed both the House and the Senate and are awaiting the Governor’s signature to become state law. House Bill 92 shortens the in-person early voting period from 45 days to three weeks to also include the second Saturday before the primary or general election. Shortening the voting period will reduce voter confusion and save taxpayer dollars, particularly at the local level since county and city governments bear a significant amount of the costs associated with the in-person early voting period. The other notable piece of legislation Rep. Hamilton sponsored was House Bill 454 that allows Secretary of State Brian Kemp to set the presidential preference primary date. Georgia is now one of two states in the nation that allows the Secretary of State to set this date. This flexibility will allow Georgia to remain competitive with other states as presidential candidates determine where they will spend their time and resources as they approach the election.
You can learn more about Rep. Hamilton by viewing his Capitol website or his Facebook page at www.legis.ga.gov.
Representative Mark Hamilton represents the citizens of District 23, which includes parts of Cherokee and Forsyth counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006 and currently serves as Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations; Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications; Industrial Relations; and Transportation committees.
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