State elections officials by late Tuesday had reported no problems with the use of photo voter identification in local elections across 100 Georgia counties. It was another test run for the law, which was in effect for local elections in 22 counties on September 18th. The biggest workout yet for voter ID is expected on February 5th for the state's presidential primary. Turnout for that date could be higher than that of the local race voting.
Showing posts with label photo voter I-D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photo voter I-D. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Photo voter ID put to the test
State officials say all appears to have gone well with a first test of Georgia's photo voter ID law. Special elections were held yesterday in 23 counties with low turnout reported. The Secretary of State's office says over 35-hundred photo ID cards were issued to Georgians. A little over 500 cards were given out since a widespread effort began August 1st to let voters know of the new provision. A better test of the photo ID law should come in the February 5th presidential primary, when turnout is expected to be much higher.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Photo voter ID suit testimony could wrap today
Testimony is expected to wrap today in Rome in a lawsuit over Georgia's photo ID requirement for voters. The suit is the final hurdle before the law is put into action during special elections ahead on September 18th. Several opponents want to block enforcement of the requirements. Groups such as the NAACP say the law violates constitutional rights of minorities, making it harder to vote. No date has yet been set on a ruling from the federal judge.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Secretary of state revives voter photo requirement
Secretary of State Karen Handel plans to make voters show photo identification at the polls beginning with a special election in September.
"We are ready to begin education, outreach and training for the implementation of photo ID requirements for the September 18 special elections," Handel says.
Handel says the state can go forward because the Georgia Supreme Court has dismissed a case challenging the law. Her office is preparing letters to send to 1.15 million registered voters in the 27 counties holding a special election in September. Handel says only about 77,000 of those voters lack the proper identification, however.
But another case is still pending in federal court. Attorney Emmet Bondurant, who represents the plaintiffs, says Handel's efforts "are very likely to generate vast amounts of confusion--people being told they're going to have to get [photo ID], how to get it and all that sort of stuff when, in fact, the requirement that they obtain one at all is basically unconstitutional."
He says Handel "aspires to be our Katherine Harris," referring to the Florida secretary of state who supervised that state's 2000 presidential election, which ended in controversy over misread ballots and uncounted votes.
In response, Handel says she will not speculate on future decisions.
"I can only go with what the law is here and now in front of me, and the law today in front of me is that photo ID is in effect," she says.
Both sides say they want a speedy trial and a final decision on the issue, which has hung over Georgia elections for three years.
"It is imperative that we move to a final resolution in the Common Cause case so that the people of Georgia will know once and for all what to expect when they go to the polls to cast their vote," says Handel.
The suspended law would require voters to show one of six forms of government-issued photo identification at the polls. Supporters say the law would discourage voter fraud. Opponents say voter fraud is much more likely through absentee ballots, and the law would disproportionately affect registered voters who are poor or elderly.
"We are ready to begin education, outreach and training for the implementation of photo ID requirements for the September 18 special elections," Handel says.
Handel says the state can go forward because the Georgia Supreme Court has dismissed a case challenging the law. Her office is preparing letters to send to 1.15 million registered voters in the 27 counties holding a special election in September. Handel says only about 77,000 of those voters lack the proper identification, however.
But another case is still pending in federal court. Attorney Emmet Bondurant, who represents the plaintiffs, says Handel's efforts "are very likely to generate vast amounts of confusion--people being told they're going to have to get [photo ID], how to get it and all that sort of stuff when, in fact, the requirement that they obtain one at all is basically unconstitutional."
He says Handel "aspires to be our Katherine Harris," referring to the Florida secretary of state who supervised that state's 2000 presidential election, which ended in controversy over misread ballots and uncounted votes.
In response, Handel says she will not speculate on future decisions.
"I can only go with what the law is here and now in front of me, and the law today in front of me is that photo ID is in effect," she says.
Both sides say they want a speedy trial and a final decision on the issue, which has hung over Georgia elections for three years.
"It is imperative that we move to a final resolution in the Common Cause case so that the people of Georgia will know once and for all what to expect when they go to the polls to cast their vote," says Handel.
The suspended law would require voters to show one of six forms of government-issued photo identification at the polls. Supporters say the law would discourage voter fraud. Opponents say voter fraud is much more likely through absentee ballots, and the law would disproportionately affect registered voters who are poor or elderly.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
State Election Board: Yes for voter I-D
Georgia should move ahead with the effort to require voters to show photo I-D's at the polls--that's the word from the state's election board. A vote of 3-to-1 Wednesday by the State Election Board said Georgia should put the requirement into effect "as soon as the law allows".
This vote comes only days after the Georgia Supreme Court threw out a challenge to the voter I-D law. The Secretary of State's office says the law would not be in effect for next Tuesday's special election in the 10th Congressional District. However, it could be used in the September local elections, unless another legal challenge is issued.
The battle over Georgia's voter I-D law has been ongoing for over a year in state and federal court. Opponents claim the law would disenfranchise minorities, the poor, and the elderly who don't have a driver's license or other government-issued I-D. The law's supporters, including Governor Sonny Perdue, say it's needed to prevent voter fraud.
This vote comes only days after the Georgia Supreme Court threw out a challenge to the voter I-D law. The Secretary of State's office says the law would not be in effect for next Tuesday's special election in the 10th Congressional District. However, it could be used in the September local elections, unless another legal challenge is issued.
The battle over Georgia's voter I-D law has been ongoing for over a year in state and federal court. Opponents claim the law would disenfranchise minorities, the poor, and the elderly who don't have a driver's license or other government-issued I-D. The law's supporters, including Governor Sonny Perdue, say it's needed to prevent voter fraud.
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