For Immediate Release
September 28, 2009

FFI Contact: Matt Carrothers
Director of Media Relations
404-656-4269

Secretary of State Handel Commends the Georgia Supreme Court’s Unanimous Decision Affirming Use of Touch-Screen Voting Machines

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today commended the unanimous decision by the Georgia Supreme Court (Favorito et al. v. Handel et al.) affirming the constitutionality of touch-screen voting machines, and denying a claim that touch-screen voting violates voters’ equal protection rights. The Supreme Court’s decision upholds a 2008 Fulton County Superior Court ruling.

“Georgia has the most secure elections in the nation due to our four levels of security testing on touch-screen voting machines, our partnership with nationally renowned elections experts at the Kennesaw State University Center for Elections Systems, the dedication by county election officials to provide secure and fair elections at the local level and our photo ID requirement,” said Secretary Handel.

Georgia implemented electronic voting machines statewide in 2002.

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.