Proof-of-citizenship bill for voters passes Senate
By Mary Lou Pickel

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Voters would have to produce birth certificates, passports or other documents proving U.S. citizenship to register to vote under a bill that passed the Senate Tuesday.

Supporters say the bill would prevent illegal immigrants from voting in Georgia and cut down on voter fraud.

Opponents say the measure amounts to a poll tax on poor Georgians who don’t have identification papers and would have to pay money to get them.

“It’s time to take steps to make sure that noncitizens are not voting,â€