Judge tosses voter photo ID challenge

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UPDATED: 5:02 p.m. July 11, 2008
Judge tosses voter photo ID challenge

By BILL RANKIN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/10/08

Georgia voters must present a government-issued photo ID when casting ballots at the polls in Tuesday's primary elections, a judge ruled Friday, rejecting a request to temporarily halt enforcement of the controversial ID law.

The Georgia Democratic Party, which is challenging the law, had asked for a temporary restraining order from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Tom Campbell.

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"After considering the evidence and balancing the harms alleged by each party, the court finds that the plaintiff has failed to meet the legal standard for the granting of a temporary restraining order," Campbell wrote in a two-page order.

During a hearing before Campbell on Thursday, Secretary of State Karen Handel testified there would be "mass chaos" at the state's 3,000 precincts if the judge were to grant the party's request so soon before the July 15 primaries.

"I applaud Judge Campbell's ruling to deny the Democratic Party's frivolous motion to block the use of photo ID in the general primary election," Handel said in a statement issued Friday. "Photo ID has been implemented without incident in eight elections, including the presidential preference primary that featured record voter turnout."

The state Democratic Party's lawsuit contends the photo ID law violates the Georgia Constitution by imposing an unauthorized qualification on the right to vote. It also claims the law places an illegal, undue burden on poor, disabled and minority voters.

Emmet Bondurant, a lawyer for the party, said Friday he was not surprised Campbell ruled the way he did, given how close it is to the primaries. But Bondurant expressed satisfaction that Campbell found that the Democratic Party had standing to bring the lawsuit.

Bondurant said the party will now move toward obtaining a permanent injunction, barring enforcement of the law. "Hopefully this will all get done before the November elections," he said.

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Comments

By rchdHH

Jul 12, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

Claims that rampant �voter fraud� is loose in the land, predictably, led to demands for a �portable� mug shot to �prove that you are you and I am me.�

The counter claim is that there is no evidence of statistically significant voter fraud; the claim is merely a cover to depress the vote in virtual gerrymandered demographic enclaves. It is reincarnation; �the �second coming� of the poll tax and the �demonstrated competency� to race through the "McGuffey Reader."

If we have learned anything we know that Judges are more or less politicians in black robes � some, even, are zealous ideologues. Is there any wonder that judicial rulings often have a red or blue political patina?

Those - inclined - will take on the added challenge that requires citizens to prove 'self' � become distilled to a passport quality I.D. The picture on my Drivers License is a stranger to the picture on my Concealed Carry Permit; both slightly resemble me � the Drivers License � less so.

By tim

Jul 11, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

esteban please learn how to spell

By Frank Lobo

Jul 11, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Bill Rankin penned a July 10 article noting a judge's refusal to slap a temporary restraining order on Georgia's voter ID law. Rankin labeled the measure "controversial."

Yet the AJC staffer failed to relay that Georgia state law provides photo voter ID cards free of charge.

From the Georgia Secretary of State's Web site:

If you do not have one of these acceptable forms of photo identification, the State of Georgia offers a FREE Voter Identification Card. An identification card can be issued at any county registrar's office or Department of Driver Services office FREE of charge.

Rankin did note that people who show up at the polling places without photo ID can still cast a provisional ballot, but that those ballots don't end up being counted as cast unless the voter comes back within two days with proper identification.

By the old man

Jul 11, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Dan Quayle was right -- TORT reform NOW !!!! -- when you have a party run by lawyers expect lawsuits -- why not?? -- the taxpayers pay the lawyers for their court costs -- Democratic answer to the alleged "crisis" of oil, sue OPEC, Democrats answer to almost everything that doesn't go their way, "sue" -- we all pay -- I personally see nothing wrong for a free society to remain free to show a photo ID to vote .. if we were really serious about voting fraud then why not fingerprint recognition, but that would eliminate too many convicted felons who are probably members of the Democratic Party, the party of socialism .. heck let's open the doors and let anyone who comes through vote, don't have to be a citizen, just vote for the next messiah .. cheers the old man ..

By Brad

Jul 11, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

But how on earth are dead people going to vote now?

By Esteban

Jul 11, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Typical Dimorats -- trying to figure out ways to cheat the system. Oh well, no more loading up the homeless on a bus and promising them a meal for a vote...

Obama will raise YOUR taxes (it's a campaign promise) and aggressively pursue legalization of all forms of abortion -- even opposing measures to save babies that survive botched abortion procedures (also a campaign promise and a part of his record -- go check it).

By Esteban

Jul 11, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Typical Dimorats -- trying to figure out ways to cheat the system. Oh well, no more loading up the homeless on a bus and promising them a meal for a vote...

By Esteban

Jul 11, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Typical Dimorats -- trying to figure out ways to cheat the system. Oh well, no more loading up the homeless on a bus and promising them a meal for a vote...