CBS 46 Atlanta - Officials brace for first election under controversial ID law

CBS 46 Atlanta - Officials brace for first election under controversial ID lawOfficials brace for first election under controversial ID law
Aug 28, 2005, 5:45 PM

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- The last-minute approval of Georgia's voter identification law means last-ditch efforts to prepare for the new requirements in Gwinnett County, the site of the state's first election since the contentious measure was approved.

The new law, which requires voters to show government-issued ID cards at the polls, will be enforced Tuesday, when voters are set to fill the unexpired term of state Representative Phyllis Miller.

Previously, voters cold show one of 17 forms, including bank statements or utility bills, to receive a ballot. County election officials were caught off guard by the regulations, which were approved by the Department of Justice late Friday.

Elections manager Lynn Ledford said her office had NOT anticipated the change taking effect until sometime in September. Yesterday, Gwinnett officials hurried to comply with the law, sending out press releases to inform voters of the new requirements and changes to absentee balloting.