The bill's status in the State Senate was still pending for a vote as of Friday. Meanwhile, the courts have issued an injunction on implementing the bill in Georgia, based on the version passed last year. Georgia Secretary of State Cathy Cox and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin both opposed the legislation, according to USDOJ documents.
As reported previously by APN, the USDOJ staff attorneys' recommendations against the bill were overruled. Staff attorneys also found that the bill's Republican sponsor, Rep. Sue Burmeister, provided misinformation about the availability of photo Id. Burmeister also advocated for the bill because she stated she had previously been offered Black people's votes for money.
Other objections to the Voter ID bill are numerous. First, there is the cost of public transportation which can be up to $3.50 on MARTA. Second, there is a current lack of places to get voter Ids. Third, those offices issuing Ids are only open during business hours when working people are on the clock. Fourth, people need to have certain Ids in order to get a state ID, including either a passport, birth certificate, court documents, or naturalization papers. Fifth, birth certificate copies cost at least $10, passports are not free either, and some Georgia residents were not born in hospitals and don't have birth certificates, according to the USDOJ.
Matthew Cardinale is the Editor of Atlanta Progressive News. He may be reached at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.com
RESOURCES
11 House Dems Demand Hearings on Justice Department Memo
Atlanta Progressive News
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/pages/6/index.htm
December 01, 2005
5 Senators, 13 House Reps Call for Probe of Dept. Of Justice
Atlanta Progressive News
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/pages/10/index.htm
December 11, 2005
Criticism of Voting Law was Overruled
Atlanta Progressive News
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602504.html
November 16, 2005
As reported previously by APN, the USDOJ staff attorneys' recommendations against the bill were overruled. Staff attorneys also found that the bill's Republican sponsor, Rep. Sue Burmeister, provided misinformation about the availability of photo Id. Burmeister also advocated for the bill because she stated she had previously been offered Black people's votes for money.
Other objections to the Voter ID bill are numerous. First, there is the cost of public transportation which can be up to $3.50 on MARTA. Second, there is a current lack of places to get voter Ids. Third, those offices issuing Ids are only open during business hours when working people are on the clock. Fourth, people need to have certain Ids in order to get a state ID, including either a passport, birth certificate, court documents, or naturalization papers. Fifth, birth certificate copies cost at least $10, passports are not free either, and some Georgia residents were not born in hospitals and don't have birth certificates, according to the USDOJ.
Matthew Cardinale is the Editor of Atlanta Progressive News. He may be reached at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.com
11 House Dems Demand Hearings on Justice Department Memo
Atlanta Progressive News
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/pages/6/index.htm
December 01, 2005
5 Senators, 13 House Reps Call for Probe of Dept. Of Justice
Atlanta Progressive News
http://www.atlantaprogressivenews.com/pages/10/index.htm
December 11, 2005
Criticism of Voting Law was Overruled
Atlanta Progressive News
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602504.html
November 16, 2005
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