Georgia's Voter Verification Program Approved by DOJ
The Help America Vote Act requires states to verify the identities of first time voters by inspecting a current and valid photo identification, copy of a utility bill, paycheck or other government issued document that shows the address and name of the voter. The Georgia Voter Verification Program exceeds that mandate by requiring proof of citizenship. The DOJ twice declined to preclear Georgia's proposal. In 2009 the DOJ found the proposed procedures to be "seriously flawed." In February 2010, the DOJ again concluded that Georgia had not carried its burden of showing that the verification procedures would not have a discriminatory purpose or discriminatory effect. In July 2010, GA sought a declaratory judgment from the DC Circuit. In August, the DOJ dropped its objection without public explanation or opportunity for intervenors to be heard.
Georgia Allowed To Continue Voter Verification, Kathy Lohr, npr.org, September 14, 2010
