Friends,
We continue to make preparations for a return to the 2020 legislative session. House offices reopened for staff on Monday and we anticipate the legislative session beginning mid-June.
As we return to the Capitol, we will look to medical experts and other professionals to seek guidance on how we should most safely proceed and carry out our duties and responsibilities to complete the legislative session.
By now, we all should have received mail regarding the 2020 Census encouraging you to fill out your Census forms. The Census ensures that Georgia and District 159 are appropriately represented in both Washington DC and Atlanta.
When you fill out your Census forms, you should fill them out based on the status of your family and home as of April 1, 2020.
If you have not responded to the Census yet, either online or by mail, you should have recently received a paper questionnaire in the mail that you should fill out and return.
In District 159, Effingham County has surpassed Georgia’s average response rate for the 2020 Census, but both Screven County and Bulloch County are trailing Georgia’s average.
I encourage you all to complete your 2020 Census form to guarantee that all of District 159’s residents are counted.
As you know, Georgia’s primary elections were moved to Tuesday in light of the COVID-19 crisis facing our state. This date is fast approaching and I hope you all will vote in the upcoming election. All Georgia registered voters received an absentee ballot application from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, and you should return this absentee ballot application to your local board of elections as soon as possible so that you will receive your absentee ballot in plenty of time to cast your vote. Your absentee ballot should be received by your local board of elections prior to election day.
In the event that you would like to cast your ballot early in-person, early voting has already begun, and you can find an early voting location by contacting your local board of elections office.
Early voting
ends Friday. Traditional in-person voting will take place Tuesday. I hope you will join me and cast your ballot to make your voice heard.
As businesses and restaurants continue to open (or reopen) their doors to customers in a very different environment than what we are all used to, please follow social distancing guidelines, wear a mask when in public spaces with others, wash your hands, and be safe.
If you have any feedback, do not hesitate to call (404-656-5052), e-mail (Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov), or engage on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JonBurnsGA).
If you would like to receive email updates, please visit my website to sign up for my newsletter or email me.
It is an honor to represent you in the General Assembly, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Jon Burns represents District 159 in the Georgia General Assembly where he serves as the House majority leader.