Former president (Clinton) blasts Georgia Voter ID law

[MelissaB]

Posted on Sun, Aug. 07, 2005

Former president blasts Georgia Voter ID law

Associated Press


ATLANTA - Former President Bill Clinton said a Georgia law that requires voters to show picture identification at the polls and wipes out other currently accepted forms of ID is "just wrong."

"They're cutting lots of folks out of that vote," said Clinton, a guest on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's syndicated radio show.

The bill eliminates 12 of the 17 forms of ID currently allowed, including Social Security cards, birth certificates and utility bills. Critics call it the most restrictive in the nation and fear it will unfairly impact the elderly, the poor and minorities.

The law's mostly Republican backers said it was aimed at preventing voter fraud, not hurting poor voters. They point out that state IDs would be given free to people who couldn't afford the fee.


More: http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/states/georgia/counties/houston_peach/12325970.htm

[MelissaB]

1. and another one:

Clinton Blasts Ga. Voter ID Law

Provided By: The Associated Press
Last Modified: 8/7/2005 9:22:14 AM


ATLANTA (AP) -- Former President Bill Clinton called a Georgia law that requires voters to show picture I-D at the polls—quote -- “just wrong.”

Clinton, a guest on the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s syndicated radio show this morning, said the bill could cut people out of the vote.

...snip

The former president said the Georgia bill is a reminder that key provisions of the landmark Voting Rights Act should be extended beyond 2007, when some requirements are set to expire.

It is a sentiment that was echoed yesterday by more than 10,000 demonstrators who flocked to Atlanta to join a massive civil rights rally.

More: http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=67381

[halobeam]

4. Geez... 11alive.... downplay much?

10,000 protestors? try over a 100,000. Whats wrong with these idiots.

[Benhurst]

2. Why isn't Clinton going after the crooked electronic voting

machines in Georgia as well? What difference does it make whether or not a person gets to vote if his or her vote is not counted?

[Greeby]

3. Better question

Why are we looking to a guy whos been out of power for five years, to be the one speaking out on these issues? Shouldn't we be looking to people still in public office?

[mopinko]

5. it's a personal thing

he talks about the kind of people they are cutting off, and his personal experience with organizing these kind of voter's back in the day in his book. he knows just what kind of people they are hitting with this, and just what kind of hardship this will create.

[riqster]

8. Both elements are vitally important

If you aren't registered, or if the Reeps have put a limitation on your ability to register, you can't vote at all. An uncast ballot is not going to be counted, right?

In Ohio, the new game is to force you to vote provisional, and then refuse to count the provisionals. ID is the #1 reason for a provisional ballot.

[Boredtodeath]

6. That's mighty white of him

Where the hell was he when Georgians were busting ass to prevent the law being passed?

Screw Bill Clinton and his day late and dollar short DLC talking points.

[Kip Humphrey]

7. Waht form of ID is accessible to every teenager?

Why, fake photo IDs of coarse (available at every high school and on every college campus coast-to-coast!). This is nothing more then institutionalized voter suppression.