Georgia: legislature may try for voter I.D. a 3rd time
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports: The 2007 session of the General Assembly begins Monday, and with it comes a consolidation of Republican power that began with Gov. Sonny Perdue's first election in 2002. Four years later, Perdue has returned to office, Republican Casey Cagle is the new lieutenant governor and some old legislation pushed by the GOP last year has again appeared on the horizon. ...
Legislation that would require photo identification at the polls could make a return. Republicans got a photo ID law passed, but a federal judge stopped its enforcement. The state currently requires voters to show one of 17 acceptable forms of identification.
"Apparently, it's going to be a big issue again," said Sen. Ed Harbison, D-Columbus. "I think you're going to get the same reaction. I've been quoted widely that it was voter constriction. It's obvious that would be a restriction."
Rep. Vance Smith, R-Pine Mountain, said the meetings he's attended on the issue lead him to believe federal requirements affecting a photo ID law would cost millions. "I don't know if we have the money to do that," he said. "We need a program, but we don't need to invade people's privacy. I want to slow it down a little bit." -- Ledger-Enquirer | 01/07/2007 | Health care, voter IDs top of list for new year