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DEL.ICIO.USMurphy tosses voter ID lawsuit: See the order, listen to sound clips here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. District Judge Harold Murphy of Rome on Thursday ordered the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the state’s voter ID law.
It’s a lengthy decision, in two parts, that can be found here and here.
Wrote Murphy:
“Voters who lack photo ID undoubtedly exist somewhere, but the fact that the plaintiffs, in spite of their efforts, have failed to uncover anyone ‘who can attest to the fact that he/she will be prevented from voting’ provides significant support for a conclusion that the photo ID requirement does not unduly burden the right to vote.”
Secretary of State Karen Handel and Gov. Sonny Perdue, both in a good mood, held a quick press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“The photo identification requirement is now in effect for the Sept. 18 election, beginning with in-person early voting, which begins on Monday,” Handel said. “And for all elections thereafter.” Click here for a sound bite..
Said Perdue: “We’re going to do this in a respectful and fair way, and do everything we can to allow people to participate in this most basic of American liberties.” Click here for a sound bite.
See the developing daily story here.
We will now entertain praise of Murphy from Republicans who accused Democrats of judge-shopping the case.
Democrats are no doubt bummed by the news. Remember that only yesterday, U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta) testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, citing U.S. Justice Department approval of Georgia’s voter ID law as evidence of the disarray left by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
“Thankfully a federal court saw the law for what it was — a poll tax — and struck it down,” Lewis said. Today, that same federal judge decided the state had improved the law, and provided enough safeguards, to allow it to stand.
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By WTF
September 6, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
I don’t tend to agree with the Republicans on many things, but I have to admit they make a good point on this one. Who doesn’t have identification? And if you’ve never bothered to get some form of identification how likely are you to actually go out and vote. More importantly, I’ve always thought it strange that you just walk up and give you name and someone hands you a ballot. I always expect them to tell me I’ve already voted.
By Carismar
September 6, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
I’ll not entertain you with praise of Murphy. In desperation the plaintiffs went opinion shopping; however in a show of good judgment the judge decided to avoid being made a spectacle of by the appeals court and the public.
By Common Sense
September 6, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Hurray! Judges with the sense to know that if you cannot prove that you are who you are and live where you do and are here LEGALLY, you should not be allowed to vote! Just imagine all the Democrats busing in the entire SC population and offering money and free meals if they will vote for the democratic candidate! THAT is what the Democrats want to do! Stuff the ballot boxes with illegals and outsiders. sounds like something Cidy McKinney would do to win an election.
By Jared
September 6, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Common sense reigns supreme.
By Jim Crow
September 6, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this
Ah, back to the good old days.
By Osama
September 6, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
This is bad! Judge must be a Jew!
How can we elect my fellow Jihadist Democrats to power if they stop voter fraud.
The only way Democrats won the 2006 elections was by voter fraud.
By godblessamerica
September 6, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Nice to see that the Dem’s handpick a judge, and he actually looks at the merits of the case. Roy we expected better from you….
By ted
September 6, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
“We will now entertain praise of Murphy from Republicans who accused Democrats of judge-shopping the case.”
I guess you will also have to entertain the AJC’s inevitable criticism of the judge, whom the paper has, on every other occasion in this case, hailed for his infinite wisdom.
By d.a. king
September 7, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Golly….proof of citizenship with a photo?…Don’t look now, but it is only nearly as stringent….Mexico
By Typicallibkneejerk
September 8, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this
What next? A credit check before you get a credit card? Oh the horror. What is wrong with this country. Bush is wrecking everything!!!!
By Galoco_lee
September 8, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this
Hay Kneejerk, What does GW have to do with the state of Ga voter ID requirement? DUH!
By Bruce Wicox
September 8, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
The only reported problems in the state is with absentee ballots, like bush, attack the one that didn’t exsist.
Can’t wait for the next republican to say, “You have to show your ID to the absent ballot or it’s ain’t good”.
By Typicallibkneejerk
September 8, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
We all know that Bush caused hurricane Katrina, so its stands to reason that this voter ID thing is Bush/Rove’s move to blunt the minority vote. Peace!!
By Mark
September 8, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
A Carter judge gets it right. Voter fraud exists as you have thousands of dead voters voting for Democrats every year.
The only way Democrats win is by stealing elections like they did in 2006.
By Typicallibkneejerk
September 8, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
Prove it Mark. I remember who stole the 2000 election. Do you? Bush has ruined everything. Now, the a stealing ones right to vote.
Just kidding its about time we had some sort of voter verification. I have to admit its is easy to think like a lib.
Go Dawgs!!!!!
By Bruce Wicox
September 8, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
bush was appointed in 2000, remember the Constitution boys, show me where the Supreme Court has anything and I do mean anything with elections? Typical rednecks, they attacked the United States of America claiming state rights and now don’t even know what they are.
Hey boys, we’re winning in Iraq too!
By Bruce Wicox
September 8, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
bush was appointed in 2000, remember the Constitution boys, show me where the Supreme Court has anything and I do mean anything with elections? Typical rednecks, they attacked the United States of America claiming state rights and now don’t even know what they are.
Hey boys, we’re winning in Iraq too!
By Typicalkneejerklib
September 9, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
See, Bruce could have said….”Selected not elected!!!!” States rights??? Oh yeah. This southerner is ready to discuss state’s rights or any other issues dealing with the decentralization of government. Any time. Any place.
P.S. Have your copy of the constitution on hand. I have not time for a tutorial, son.
By Mark
September 9, 2007 2:05 AM | Link to this
Yes, look at Florida. You have over 500 dead voters voting for Al Gore in just one precinct alone.
The Democrats stole the 2006 elections and everybody knows this. They are thugs, felons and Al-Queda supporters.
This law is just one small step from the Democrats seizing power by a coup in 2008.