Thread: Georgia Follows Ariz. on Citizenship Proof for Voters

Ga. Follows Ariz. on Citizenship Proof for Voters
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 7:40 PM

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a divisive law Tuesday making the state only the second after Arizona to require prospective voters to prove their U.S. citizenship, a practice opponents say would keep the poor, elderly and minorities away from the ballot box.

To take effect, the law must obtain clearance from the U.S. Justice Department under the Voting Rights Act. And legal challenges appeared likely despite supporters who insist the measure would safeguard the integrity of the voting process.

The law revived a racially charged battle in Georgia. Critics complain it would disenfranchise poor and minority voters _ many of them U.S. citizens _ who lack required documents.

Starting Jan. 1, 2010 if Justice approves, the Georgia law would require all applying for voter registration to provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship. Those who stay on active voter rolls and have already registered before then would not have to submit such documents as a U.S. passport, naturalization documents or driver's license or birth certificate.

"It's tantamount to a poll tax," said Elise Shore, regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She said the group was considering a legal challenge if the law clears the Justice Department.

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, a top backer, said proof of citizenship is needed to prevent voter fraud. She expressed confidence the law could withstand a challenge, noting it was modeled after Arizona's precedent-setting law.

It's been more than 40 years since the Voting Rights Act was signed, barring voting practices used throughout the South for years to keep poor blacks from voting.

Currently, voters must simply check a box on a voter registration application affirming they are a U.S. citizen.

Similar bills have surfaced in at least five other states _ Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington and Virginia, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

For years, Georgia was mired in a legal battle over a law requiring a valid, government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot in-person. The law was eventually cleared by a federal judge and took effect for last year's elections.

"With photo ID we have extremely high integrity at the ballot box," Handel said. "Now we need to do the same with our voter registration."

She said several investigations are pending into allegations of non-citizens voting.

The Georgia branch of Common Cause, which led a lawsuit against the photo ID, challenged that. Executive director Bill Bozarth said the new law seeks to address a problem that has not been proven to exist _ that of non-citizens voting in elections in Georgia.

"It certainly has xenophobic overtones," Bozarth said.

http://www.newsmax.com/us/us_voting_che ... 11113.html

Oh yeah! Way to go GA and AZ!

Yes, this is what we need as illegal aliens cannot vote because they are NOT citizens of the U.S.

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a divisive law Tuesday making the state only the second after Arizona to require prospective voters to prove their U.S. citizenship, a practice opponents say would keep the poor, elderly and minorities away from the ballot box.

What the poor, elderly and minorities can't pay $15.00 to $25.00 every couple years for an DMV I.D.? The left is just pissed because now how are they going to get all their illegal votes, amnesty? Maybe now they will have to look up deaths on the county records to do mail in votes, but gosh that is so much harder and so many less votes for them what a shame!

Kimnorth,

The information is not given in this article, but I believe that under the GA law anyone who qualifies but who does not have or who cannot afford a GA. Driver's License can apply for a state-authorized Photo I.D. which will be provided them without charge. Because of the history of voters' rights cases in the state, Georgians are understandably very sensitive to any potential charges of "reinstating the poll tax".

The first Presidential election I voted in was in Georgia, and I was required then to show a valid GA Driver's License (which had my photo) in order to register and vote. I just assumed it was standard procedure everywhere!

I guess not In California you can register to vote in front of a grocery store they don't ask for an I.D. you just fill it out then get your registration in the mail and where to go to vote. When you go to the polling place they don't ask for I.D. unless your not on the list. But if you registered at the grocery store your in.

Well, that was many, many years ago, long before the "Motor-Voter" legislation. However, I remember being surprised at the time how easy that was - just show a Driver's License and you were allowed to vote. They took your word on the personal information that was required, as they seem to for the "whole enchilada" now.