Judge throws out Ga. photo-voter ID law

[Kadie]

Judge throws out Ga. photo-voter ID law
By ERRIN HAINES, Associated Press Writer
7 minutes ago


ATLANTA - A judge Tuesday struck down as unconstitutional the latest version of a new Georgia law requiring voters to show photo ID.

State Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford Jr. ruled that the photo ID requirement disenfranchises otherwise qualified voters and adds a new, unconstitutional condition to voting.

"This cannot be," Bedford wrote, pointing out that a photo ID is not required to register to vote in Georgia.

The judge took issue with the burden placed on voters to prove their identify using photo ID. Even if voters are allowed to cast ballots without the required identification, they must return within 48 hours with photo IDs or their vote is forfeited.

"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.

snip...
Supporters of the photo ID law, including Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue, have said it is needed to protect against voter fraud.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060919/ap_on_re_us/georgia_voter_id_3

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Good for that judge!

[bullwinkle428]

2. "What else you got in yer bag o'tricks, Karl?"

:evilgrin:

[gademocrat7]

3. Great

I hope this will bite sonny pewdue where it hurts. I am ashamed that Georgia tried to disenfranchise voters. A rethug ploy.

[EFerrari]

4. Good day for GA voters!

:kick:

[eleny]

5. What great news! K&R

[racaulk]

6. Awesome!

This is great news indeed! Good on Judge Bedford! :applause:

[jody]

7. Congress has sole authority to determine "The Times, Places and Manner of

holding Elections for Senators and Representatives".

A photo voter ID will eventually be required for federal elections.

States can determine procedures for intra state elections but it's probably too costly not to use federal procedures.

[me b zola]

8. Back to the day of poll taxes!

Unless states begin to give out state IDs for free, and go to the homes of shut-ins and the disabled to ensure that they have the opportunity to recieve their IDs, then this requirement will remain unconstitutional.

[jody]

12. Carter/Baker report recommended free voter IDs. I hope congress agrees. na

[me b zola]

9. Dobbs is crying about it

:cry:

[me b zola]

10. Dobbs has a poll on this:

Do you believe it's discriminatory to require all voters to offer proof of citizenship to register and vote?

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

[jody]

13. Thanks for the link. I voted "NO". na

[peaches2003]

11. Good, but

now he has to outlaw Diebold and/or allow me to have a paper ballot.