Georgia Secretary of State Press Office

Secretary Handel’s Outreach Efforts on Photo ID Continue

ATLANTA - The comprehensive outreach program to educate voters on photo identification requirements continues, beginning with the 22 counties holding Special Elections on September 18. In addition to the GaPhotoID.com website and toll-free hotline, public service announcements and numerous education pieces, the Secretary of State’s office is directly contacting approximately 74,000 registered voters in those counties by mail. These voters have been identified as potentially not having a Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card Issued by the Department of Driver Services (DDS) and so will personally receive information about Georgia’s photo ID requirements.

“Although voters can use various forms of photo ID to vote, because we have been able to identify voters who may not have this particular form of ID, we are contacting them personally about the in-person photo ID requirement,” said Secretary of State Karen Handel. “Our goal is to ensure that they have every opportunity to get a FREE Voter ID Card from their county registrar or DDS office if necessary. In addition to broader outreach and education efforts, such as public service announcements, we will contact these voters directly at least two more times prior to the September elections.”

Radio ads will hit the airwaves in the 22 targeted counties beginning Monday, August 13. The ads will tell voters about the in-person photo identification requirement and remind voters that they can vote by absentee ballot by mail without a photo ID.

“These radio ads will play on many radio stations with different program formats to reach all demographics,” said Handel. “This is another layer in our comprehensive outreach program, and another opportunity to remind all voters of Georgia’s photo ID requirements.”

Mandatory training of elections officials in the 22 counties on the photo ID requirements has already begun, and mandatory poll worker training will be conducted as well.

“We are using every resource at our disposal to get the message out to anyone wishing to vote in the September Special Elections,” said Handel. “My team has begun and will continue to partner with various government offices, utilities and numerous community organizations next week in an effort to distribute information, as well.”

Georgia law requires that voters bring one of the following forms of photo identification when voting in person.

A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired
Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free voter ID card issued by your county registrar or DD
Valid U.S. passport
Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state
Valid U.S. military photo ID
Valid tribal photo ID

Voters that do not have one of these forms of identification are eligible to receive a FREE Georgia Voter Identification Card from any DDS office or their county registrar’s office. Voters are not required to include identification when voting absentee ballot by mail. Further information can be obtained by calling toll free, 1- 877- 725-9797, or at www.GaPhotoID.com.

For Immediate Release August 10, 2007	FFI Contact:Matt Carrothers Director of Communications 404.656.5792

Secretary Handel’s Outreach Efforts on Photo ID Continue ATLANTA - The comprehensive outreach program to educate voters on photo identification requirements continues, beginning with the 22 counties holding Special Elections on September 18. In addition to the GaPhotoID.com website and toll-free hotline, public service announcements and numerous education pieces, the Secretary of State’s office is directly contacting approximately 74,000 registered voters in those counties by mail. These voters have been identified as potentially not having a Georgia Driver’s License or Georgia Identification Card Issued by the Department of Driver Services (DDS) and so will personally receive information about Georgia’s photo ID requirements. “Although voters can use various forms of photo ID to vote, because we have been able to identify voters who may not have this particular form of ID, we are contacting them personally about the in-person photo ID requirement,” said Secretary of State Karen Handel. “Our goal is to ensure that they have every opportunity to get a FREE Voter ID Card from their county registrar or DDS office if necessary. In addition to broader outreach and education efforts, such as public service announcements, we will contact these voters directly at least two more times prior to the September elections.” Radio ads will hit the airwaves in the 22 targeted counties beginning Monday, August 13. The ads will tell voters about the in-person photo identification requirement and remind voters that they can vote by absentee ballot by mail without a photo ID. “These radio ads will play on many radio stations with different program formats to reach all demographics,” said Handel. “This is another layer in our comprehensive outreach program, and another opportunity to remind all voters of Georgia’s photo ID requirements.” Mandatory training of elections officials in the 22 counties on the photo ID requirements has already begun, and mandatory poll worker training will be conducted as well. “We are using every resource at our disposal to get the message out to anyone wishing to vote in the September Special Elections,” said Handel. “My team has begun and will continue to partner with various government offices, utilities and numerous community organizations next week in an effort to distribute information, as well.” Georgia law requires that voters bring one of the following forms of photo identification when voting in person. A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free voter ID card issued by your county registrar or DD Valid U.S. passport Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state Valid U.S. military photo ID Valid tribal photo ID Voters that do not have one of these forms of identification are eligible to receive a FREE Georgia Voter Identification Card from any DDS office or their county registrar’s office. Voters are not required to include identification when voting absentee ballot by mail. Further information can be obtained by calling toll free, 1- 877- 725-9797, or at www.GaPhotoID.com.