March 17, 2010

ATLANTA -- In a partisan vote, the Senate has approved a bill that would allow voters to register online with a valid Georgia driver's license or identification card.

While supporters say the proposal would bring greater access and efficiency to the process, critics claim the measure is unnecessary, would be harmful to minority voters and is unlikely to pass muster with the Department of Justice -- which has rapped Georgia in recent years for their attempts at creating a voter verification system.

The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 33-20. Under the proposal, eligible voters could apply online through the Web site for the Secretary of State, which would verify the applicant's license or identification card number, date of birth and citizenship.

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