By Ashley Speagle
Correspondent
ATLANTA -- Georgia senators passed a bill Wednesday to allow full online voter registration, but some legislators said that could cause more problems in verifying voter eligibility.
PDF: Senate bill 406
"This will allow for the ability to register to vote online through a secure system maintained through the Secretary of State's Office through assistance of (Department of Driver Services)," said Sen. Cecil Staton, R-Macon. "We're not doing away with any other opportunity."
Voters already can fill out applications online. Senate Bill 406 would allow online submissions as well, rather than printing applications out and mailing or faxing them to election officials.
But some lawmakers said online registration could perpetuate the state's problems in denying legal citizens' right to vote.
Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, cited a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice about voting process flaws that fell disproportionately on minority voters.
"Bottom line is: The system was flawed then, and we have no reason to believe the system is not flawed right now," Sen. Fort said.
Senators defeated an amendment by Sen. Gail Buckner, D-Jonesboro, that would allow residents to use to identification other than driver's licenses. They also defeated her amendment and one by Sen. Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur, changing language that would allow the secretary of state to add new requirements to verify voter identity.
"By leaving these lines in here, it gives unprecedented power to a position where we should have that authority," said Sen. Jones. "It's that office that's entrusted with verifying our database."
Sen. Staton and Sen. John Douglas, R-Social Circle, highlighted the bill's importance to military members out of state, especially younger ones who left before they could register.
Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun, said SB 406 may complement his bill that allows overseas voters to receive and send ballots online. Rep. Meadows' bill already has passed the House.
"Anything that makes it easier, I hope, would be complementary," he said.
ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION* According to Sen. Cecil Staton, eight states and the District of Columbia have online voter registration: Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana Oregon and Washington.* Online applications under SB 406 would require a name, address, birth date, driver's license or identification card number, testimony of citizenship and accurate information, consent to signature use from driver's license or identification card and "other information the Secretary of State deems necessary."* Voter applications are available now at county offices, public libraries, public assistance offices, schools and other government offices or while renewing or applying for driver's licenses. Forms can be mailed, faxed or dropped off to election officials.
The secretary of state's office approached both Rep. Meadows and Sen. Staton about sponsoring legislation. A spokesman said online voting registration has nothing to do with voter verification problems.
"It's unfortunate that people would confuse online voter registration with a completely separate issue," said Matt Carrothers in the secretary of state's office.
He said SB 406 would help voters, save taxpayer dollars and help prevent voter fraud.
Some local election officials said the online option would not drastically differ from the current process and may be more convenient for some people.
"Before, they had to print it off and it to send us," said Kay Staten of Whitfield County's Board of Elections office. "It would have to be approved through the Justice Department, though."
The Senate vote was 33-20 and many lawmakers voted on party lines.
"We need to prevent a situation where Georgia is embarrassed nationally for poor access to ballots," said Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, who voted no.
The bill now goes to the House.