‘Make it easy to vote, but hard to cheat’: Kemp talks proposed election law changes

ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp says he supports proposed legislation to require photo ID to vote absentee in Georgia elections.

Kemp said because of the large volume of absentee by mail votes in the Georgia 2020 presidential election, it created voter confidence issues. He said the General Assembly is working on systems to secure the votes in elections, while not causing any voter suppression.

“Put in photo ID on absentee votes by mail, just like we do for our in-person voting,” Kemp said. “I think most of our citizens think that that is very reasonable. To make sure that we protect and secure the sacred right that we have to cast a ballot. To do that secretly, and make sure it’s counted.”

Kemp said he understands activist groups will oppose any election laws, but he wants new common sense security measures to make sure voters are confident they have fair and secure elections.

Georgia senators on Tuesday approved one of several the Augusta Commission unanimously voted on the same day to oppose.

But Democrats decry the measures as based on a lie and aimed at overturning Democrats’ recent electoral success in Georgia.

Senate Bill 67, which passed 35-18 on Tuesday, would require a voter share their driver’s license or other identification number when applying for a ballot.

The person could also send a photocopy of the identification.

The numbers would replace signature verification, which was attacked by former President Donald Trump and others following Trump’s November loss in Georgia.

From reports by WALB and The Associated Press

Copyright 2021 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.