ATLANTA — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has announced a bipartisan Election Integrity Task Force ahead of November’s midterm elections.

The advisory panel includes former and current state officials, along with election law experts, and is aimed at boosting voter confidence in the election process.

“Because that’s what’s really important, we want to have elections you trust,” Raffensperger said.

Current members include former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, former Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

Raffensperger said bringing together a range of perspectives will provide additional insight as the state heads toward the election.

“Of course that just really adds an awful lot of credence to what they have to say, but any situation that may arise during this election cycle, it’s a very important election,” Raffensperger said.

The task force will serve in an advisory role, with members sharing what they are seeing as the election approaches.

“They’re advising us and what they’re seeing on the ground, and it’s an open door policy,” Raffensperger said.

Raffensperger said he expects to meet with members of the task force over the next several months.

“We will be talking and we will be meeting over the course of the next several months,” Raffensperger said.

Raffensperger said he believes the task force will also help the Secretary of State’s Office reach more Georgia voters.

“It really expands our ability to reach more voters,” Raffensperger said.

WSB Radio’s Jonathan O’Brien contributed to this story.