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.
No. Only citizens can legally vote.
I am all for the finger in the purple ink. One person one vote. No burden on women or minorities.
any idea on who appointed this lib judge, hopefully the George Supreme court overrules this idot.
COOL! According to this judge, photo ID's are no longer required to by guns, either! Just read his logic - O Happy Day!
This is really starting to tick me off. I sure hope it gets overturned by the next election
you could do that but you'd probably have to cut each dyed finger/toe off as you went to vote again. What a bloody mess that would be! ;-)
Great find! So, according to Citizens for Legal Responsibility, Judge T. Jackson Bedford Jr. is a corrupt, unethical scumbag - - surprise, surprise. How quickly can this sick clown's "ruling" get thrown out on appeal?
or even to go to blockbuster!!!
what is wrong with th f'n liberal judges other than they want ot stack the election with illegals voting for more lib/dems!
I hope the Georgia Supreme Court overturns this before the election. It will be fun to see the rats go into apoplexy over it.
"Every person who is a citizen of the United States and a resident of Georgia as defined by law, who is at least 18 years of age and not disenfranchised by this article, and who meets minimum residency requirements as provided by law shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people."It seems to me reasonable to require proof that one is a citizen of the United States or a resident of Georgia or not a felon.
One judge is apparently a Federal judge in which case the Georgia Supreme Court will not hear the case. The other judge is a state judge and could be overruled by it.
It used to be required to show ID before vote by mail was started. Now we vote from the comfort of home.
Gotta have ID to sign up for welfare or food stamps..Everyone has ID.
When people rent videos/dvds - don't they need ID? Don't even "poor" people have vcrs or dvd players? This is the biggest bunch of garbage... I wish the Reps would use this issue against the Dems. Most normal people would not want fradulent elections.
Considering you need a photo ID to cash a welfare check, buy tobacco, or do practically anything these days, I would like to see how many "real living American citizens" actually have no photo ID
What about the youth? Shouldn't 14 year olds be allowed to vote? This will come next. Already, some have called for lowering the age even further.
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