Posted on 08/26/2005 7:49:51 PM PDT by RWR8189
WASHINGTON Aug 26, 2005 — The Justice Department on Friday approved a controversial Georgia law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls, and opponents immediately vowed to challenge the measure in federal court.
The decision, written by John Tanner, chief of the department's voting section, says that while Attorney General Alberto Gonzales doesn't object to the law, approval doesn't preclude lawsuits against it.
"It's not over yet. We will pursue litigation in federal court," said state Rep. Tyrone Brooks, chairman of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, which earlier had filed an objection to the law with the Justice
The Republican-backed measure sparked racial tension during the state's legislative session last spring. Most of Georgia's black lawmakers walked out at the state Capitol when it was approved.
Democrats had argued the idea was a political move by the GOP to depress voting among minorities, the elderly and the poor all traditional bases for Democrats.
The measure would eliminate the use of several currently accepted forms of voter identification, such Social Security cards, birth certificates or utility bills, at the polls.
"Requiring valid, photographic identification is a common sense step to ensure voter integrity and sound elections," Gov. Sonny Perdue said Friday in a written statement.
Perdue signed the measure in April and it was pending the Justice Department's approval before taking effect. Under the Voting Rights Act, Georgia and other states with a history of suppressing minority voting must get federal permission to change their voting laws.
Nineteen states require voters to show identification, but only five request photo ID, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Those states Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and South Dakota allow voters without a photo ID to use other forms of identification or sign an affidavit of identity.
"The decision to clear the measure now gives Georgia the most draconian voter identification requirement in the nation," said Daniel Levitas of the American Civil Liberties Union's Voting Rights Project in Atlanta.
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a veteran of the civil rights movement, said, "It is unbelievable, it is unreal the Department of Justice an agency who is supposed to protect the American public by enforcing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is now involved in attempts to weaken the act.
"This decision takes us back to the dark past of literacy tests and other insidious devices that were carefully devised to hamper the participation of all of our citizens in the political process," Lewis said.
Perdue, like other Republicans, has said the measure is aimed at preventing voter fraud. "It will not be a hardship on any voter," Perdue said when he signed the bill.
The new Georgia law also allows people to vote absentee without an excuse, and for a longer period. Those votes by mail would not require a picture ID. Political observers say Republicans tend to benefit the most from absentee balloting.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, head of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, said he was disturbed by the federal decision.
"My fear is that this will spread across the country like a virus," he said. "This just shows how the anti-civil rights' machinery is in motion."
So what's the problem..I live in Georgia and I can't cash a freakin check without photo ID..I can't do anything without a photo ID..why should voting be any different?? oh, I forgot..no photo ID means Dems (Libs) can vote any number of times and not worry about getting caught..
The end of voter corruption really has the Democrats upset and the Republicans rejoicing. Why do you suppose that is?
Excellent! This is great news!
I live in GA and I had to show my Driver's Licsense at the Dr.'s office today. There were blacks in the office too. I wonder if they felt put upon for having to show their ID?
Conyers is an idiot.
Why would a party of elites, as they like to think of themselves, have a problem with I.D.'s? Surely these highly educated elites have all sorts of I.D.
Does this mean we don't get to use the police cars and dogs the next time? No more intimidation at the polls?
Will Diebold get to issue the Photo ID's? Aren't they a subsidiary of Halliburton? Doesn't Dick Cheney OWN Halliburton??? And didn't Halliburton OWN slaves????
Since I live in the Bay Area, I think I should send my youngster out next Halloween in a Haliburton costume. That ought to give my Liberal neighbors a real scare. 'Course, they'll probably retaliate by sending their kids to my doorstep in a Helen Thomas costume (shudder.)
Poor Dems.
Now they'll have to allocate some of those funds they use to buy votes into forged I.D.'s. The more steps required to legitimize a fraudlent voter, the less likely the individual will be bothered to mark that ballot illegally. Just too much work.
"My fear is that this will spread across the country like a virus," he said. "This just shows how the anti-civil rights' machinery is in motion."
"This just shows how the anti-civil rights' machinery is in motion."
Hey Je$$e JackA$$, give it break will ya? Americans today are asked for picture ID all the time. I don't see you out busting your a$$ about that. So, why this? Bastard!
OUTSTANDING NEWS! Thanks for posting. WOOOOHOOOO!
Good news for GA!
The first time I voted in my current (excessively liberal) jurisdiction (not GA) I started reaching for my wallet and was told by a poll worker, with hand outstretched, to 'put that away!" Glad to see that some locales are getting some sense.
How many leftists are going to scream themselves to sleep tonight with thoughts of conspiracy and diebold running through their relatively empty heads?
"The decision to clear the measure now gives Georgia the most draconian voter identification requirement in the nation"
I hope the rest of the country follows Georgia's lead, and soon! It's not often that Georgia gets to be a trendsetter.
Good news. One needs a photo ID to drive....why not to vote. Anything else would be right up the Democrats alley for voter fraud.
Mexico, and presumably other countries, have a dedicated 'Voter ID.' Mexico's has a photo and a thumbprint on it, as well as text which calls it a 'Voter ID.'
I am so tired of Democrats perpetrating voter fraud by claiming that anything done to protect it is somehow voter intimidation.
The people are so obvious, they should be locked up just for saying it.
Heeeeey! Maybe this might mean the end of the Cynthia McKinney reign. (I can dream, can't I? heh!)
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