FEDERAL JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF GEORGIA'S VOTER ID LAW

Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State's voter ID law holds up in court;
Federal judge rejects challenge

Georgia's much-debated photo voter ID law survived a major court challenge Thursday when a federal judge found it did not impose a significant burden on the right to vote.

The ruling upholds Georgia's law, said to be one of the most restrictive in the country, and clears the way for it to be enforced in the upcoming local elections on Sept. 18. Early voting begins Monday.

"It's a tremendous victory for Georgia, for our citizens and for the integrity of our elections," Secretary of State Karen Handel said in a joint press conference with Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Handel promised to continue outreach efforts, which she started this summer, that show voters how they can receive free IDs. This program included 250,000 mailings, hundreds of radio ads and a toll-free hotline.

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