Georgia Secretary of State Press Office

Secretary Handel Begins Phase Two of Photo ID Outreach

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel announced today the beginning of Phase Two of her office’s Photo ID outreach and education campaign in preparation for municipal elections to be held in 90 counties on November 6. The campaign is aimed at reminding voters they must present photo identification for in-person voting. Photo identification is not required to vote with an absentee ballot.

The Secretary of State’s Office is sending letters to over 166,000 active and inactive registered voters in the 90 counties who may not have a Georgia driver’s license or state identification card. The voters receiving this letter were identified through a database match of active and inactive registered voters and Georgia Department of Drivers Services (DDS) records.

“We encourage every registered voter who does not yet have photo identification to contact their county registrar’s office or DDS center. We want to ensure that every citizen who needs a free photo ID card knows where to obtain it,” said Handel.

Registered voters in the 90 counties believed to not have a driver’s license or other photo identification will also receive an informational brochure and postcard in the weeks leading up to the November 6 election date.

In addition to the letters, brochures and postcards, the Secretary of State’s Office is placing public service announcements on cable television and extensive radio advertising, including Atlanta Falcons broadcasts, reminding voters of the photo ID requirement. Handel’s office is also conducting mandatory training sessions for county elections officials and poll workers, and distributing information to public libraries and other public facilities in the 90 counties conducting elections.

Handel added, “Every Georgian counts. So should their vote. The photo identification requirement protects the integrity of our election process.”

Georgia law requires that voters present one of the following forms of photo identification when voting in person:

A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired;
Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID Card issued by a county registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services;
Valid U.S. passport;
Valid employee photo identification from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state;
Valid U.S. military photo ID; or
Valid tribal photo ID.

Voters who have questions are encouraged to call the Georgia Secretary of State’s Voter ID Hotline at 1-877-725-9797 or visit www.GaPhotoID.com.

For Immediate Release October 11, 2007	FFI Contact: Matt Carrothers Director of Media Relations 404-656-4269

Secretary Handel Begins Phase Two of Photo ID Outreach Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel announced today the beginning of Phase Two of her office’s Photo ID outreach and education campaign in preparation for municipal elections to be held in 90 counties on November 6. The campaign is aimed at reminding voters they must present photo identification for in-person voting. Photo identification is not required to vote with an absentee ballot. The Secretary of State’s Office is sending letters to over 166,000 active and inactive registered voters in the 90 counties who may not have a Georgia driver’s license or state identification card. The voters receiving this letter were identified through a database match of active and inactive registered voters and Georgia Department of Drivers Services (DDS) records. “We encourage every registered voter who does not yet have photo identification to contact their county registrar’s office or DDS center. We want to ensure that every citizen who needs a free photo ID card knows where to obtain it,” said Handel. Registered voters in the 90 counties believed to not have a driver’s license or other photo identification will also receive an informational brochure and postcard in the weeks leading up to the November 6 election date. In addition to the letters, brochures and postcards, the Secretary of State’s Office is placing public service announcements on cable television and extensive radio advertising, including Atlanta Falcons broadcasts, reminding voters of the photo ID requirement. Handel’s office is also conducting mandatory training sessions for county elections officials and poll workers, and distributing information to public libraries and other public facilities in the 90 counties conducting elections. Handel added, “Every Georgian counts. So should their vote. The photo identification requirement protects the integrity of our election process.” Georgia law requires that voters present one of the following forms of photo identification when voting in person: A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired; Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID Card issued by a county registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services; Valid U.S. passport; Valid employee photo identification from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state; Valid U.S. military photo ID; or Valid tribal photo ID. Voters who have questions are encouraged to call the Georgia Secretary of State’s Voter ID Hotline at 1-877-725-9797 or visit www.GaPhotoID.com.