Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel Hails Ruling Denying Temporary Restraining Order

Atlanta, Ga.—Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today hailed U.S. District Court Judge Jack Camp’s ruling denying a request by the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to force Georgia to suspend verification of voter eligibility prior to the November 4 General Election.

“I am very pleased with Judge Camp’s decision. The verification process is essential to protect the integrity of our voter rolls and elections,” said Secretary of State Karen Handel.

The eligibility of new applicants to register and vote is checked against the Georgia Department of Driver Services and Social Security Administration databases to ensure that individuals registering to vote report proper information. If information in these databases does not match information reported on the voter registration form, the applicant is asked to clarify their information. Additionally, if the applicant previously reported that they are not a U.S. citizen to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, they are asked to provide proof of citizenship.

Judge Camp wrote that if the state could not utilize the verification process, “local registrars will have no practical means of identifying which registrants are not citizens, and the mere possibility of fraudulent voting could damage the public’s respect for the electoral process.”

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.