Secretary of State Kemp Announces Support of Legislation to Implement Secure Online Voter Registration

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today announced his support of legislation that will implement a secure online voter registration system for Georgia citizens. The system would allow any eligible voter registration applicant with a Georgia driver’s license or state identification card to register to vote through a secure network on the Secretary of State’s website.

“This common sense, secure online voter registration initiative will utilize technology to increase citizen access to elections, save Georgia taxpayer dollars, and prevent voter registration fraud,” Secretary Kemp said.

The secure online voter registration legislation (SB 406) was introduced in the Georgia Senate by Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon). The secure online voter registration system will verify the information provided by the applicant with information on record at the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS). The State’s voter registration system already receives information electronically from DDS when individuals register to vote at DDS customer service centers. Additionally, secure online voter registration will increase accuracy by removing the possibility of data entry errors.

“I want to thank Secretary Kemp for his support of secure online voter registration, and for his assistance in crafting this legislation,” said Sen. Staton. “Online voter registration is a safe, secure solution to ensuring that more Georgians have the opportunity to participate in our elections.”

Secure online voter registration has proven to be popular and cost effective in the states that already utilize it. Currently, nine other states have or will be implementing comparable secure online voter registration systems. At least seven other states have similar legislation pending.

Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. 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.

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