Posted on 09/19/2006 12:59:17 PM PDT by SmithL
A state judge has thrown out the latest version of Georgia's law requiring voters to show photo ID, ruling that it violates the constitutional rights of the state's voters.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford Jr. issued the ruling Tuesday, nearly three weeks after lawyers argued both sides of the issue, which is likely headed for the Georgia Supreme Court before the Nov. 7 general elections.
Bedford said the photo ID requirement disenfranchises otherwise qualified voters and adds a new condition to voting that violates the state constitution.
In his 17-page ruling, Bedford took issue with the burden placed on voters to prove who they are using photo ID. Even if voters are allowed to cast ballots without the required identification, they must return within 48 hours with one of the six necessary photo IDs or their vote is forfeited.
"This cannot be," Bedford wrote, pointing out that photo ID are not even required to register to vote in Georgia.
"Any attempt by the Legislature to require more than what is required by the express language of our Constitution cannot withstand judicial scrutiny," Bedford wrote.
Supporters of the photo ID law say it is needed to protect against voter fraud. Opponents argue it disenfranchises poor, elderly and minority voters who are less likely to have a driver's license or other valid government-issued photo ID.
The new law took effect July 1, but was blocked by state and federal judges during the state's July primaries, August runoffs and some local special elections held Tuesday.
Last October, U.S. District Judge Harold Murphy struck down an earlier version of the law, saying it amounted to an unconstitutional poll tax. The Georgia Legislature addressed his complaints in the latest version, but when Murphy issued an injunction before the July 18 primaries, he said the state had not taken enough time to educate voters.
Because the U.S. Department of Justice didn't approve the photo ID requirement until late June, the state's election board had only three weeks to educate voters before the primaries — a window that was too short, Murphy said then.
Elections supervisors across the state have trained poll workers on both the old law and the new one.
Last week, Murphy blocked the law from being enforced in more than 20 special elections Tuesday.
What about my right not to be disenfranchised at the ballot box by hordes of illegal aliens, felons, bums, and semi-literate drug addicts bussed in by the DNC?
This argument is so tired. Everybody has a photo ID. The tiny few who don't are more than likely anti-government zealots who have no intention of voting in the first place.
Or illegal aliens.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Here's something interesting (Note the last name):
http://www.clr.org/ga.html
Judicial/Attorney Misconduct
in State of Georgia
How hard is it for these lazy asses to get up and go get a state ID. There are ways to get these at no cost. These people have to be friggin spoon fed from cradle to grave and after that if they can find the right giveaway program. You have to have a valid ID with photo to drive. To buy booze. How is it disenfranchising these idiots to require a photo ID?
What a crock of crocodile crap.
Watchit, buddy.....you're talkin' about the core constituency of the Hezbocrat voter-base here..... /sarc
So, I need a photo ID to get on a plane, but I don't to vote.
Amazing.
Yeah, but if you have open warrants for your arrest, or you're legally dead, it's hard to go and sign up for an I.D.
Same goes for illegal aliens......
Any bets as to the color and political affliation of the jedge?
It's easy to find a marxist judge who will overrule the will of the people.
Does that mean when a police officer asks for my drivers license, I can claim my rights are being violated ?
Sure,
Tell them I said so.
You may want to call someone else to post your bail, though.
; )
Get out the bottles of purple ink. It's gonna be a long election day.............
Meanwhile, it is completely constitutional for Gorgia merchants to require ID for cigarettes and alcohol, and for the police to requre ID when they stop a motorist. The hypocracy and deceipt of the lying Left is just amazing.
Need a Photo ID to drink alcohol, but not to vote.........
Is a LEGAL ALIEN allowed to vote?..........
See this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1704365/posts
When I was a kid, I was disenfranchised from buying beer when I had to show my ID.
I needed a photo ID to go into a Federal Courthouse. I will need it when I fly next month. If I get pulled over by the cops I better have one. But anyone can vote without one in Georgia?
How do these judges get off with these kinds of decsions. impeach the SOB!
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