State officials are contemplating their next move in election law, after the U.S Supreme court ruling this week left section 5 of the voting rights act in place. That’s the section requiring Georgia and 15 other states to get pre-clearance for any voting law changes.
Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel had hoped the high court would strike down section 5 of the voting rights act.
That would have meant the state could enact a new law requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Now Handel has to send what’s know as SB86 for approval to the Justice Department.
That same Justice Department told Georgia in May that a procedure the state used last fall to scan registered voters for citizenship requirements did not pass muster.
Handel is now considering whether to sue the Justice Department says Deputy secretary of state Rob Simms.
“We’re juggling a few balls right now.” Simms says, “and one thing is abundantly clear. It’s Secretary of Handel’s opinion that these verification programs are necessary and vital.”
Simms says Handel has been meeting with the Attorney Generals office and will make a decision soon on whether to file a lawsuit.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
State may sue Justice Department
