As co-author of the photo ID legislation, I am deeply disappointed by today’s decision by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Melvin Westmoreland to bar the state from requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls for the July 18 Primary election.

Georgia’s voter photo ID law passed the Georgia General Assembly overwhelmingly this legislative session and was signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue and pre-cleared by the U.S. Justice Department shortly thereafter. There is no doubt a photo I.D requirement is a step towards a more secure voting system. And yet activist judges and attorneys like former Democratic Governor Roy Barnes have teamed up to try to put a stop to this common sense reform that would cut down on fraud and strengthen the validity of our elections.

Polls show that over 80 percent of Georgians agree that a photo I.D. is a reasonable requirement for citizens to vote. It’s unfortunate that Judge Westmoreland and Roy Barnes disagreed. Democracy certainly took a hit today, but we will continue to fight this battle until Georgia’s voter photo ID law is reinstated. I urge an immediate appeal of this decision.

As Georgia’s next Secretary of State, I will vigorously and fairly enforce election laws and continue my work to ensure that Georgia has the most secure elections in the nation.

Senator Bill Stephens is running for Secretary of State. He is the incumbent Senator from the 27th District, the former Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Transportation Committee, and previously served as Governor Perdue’s Administration Floor Leader and as Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus. He has been endorsed for Secretary of State by former Governor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller; Congressmen Lynn Westmoreland, Charlie Norwood, and Nathan Deal; over 100 member of the Georgia General Assembly; and Georgia Right to Life. Senator Stephens may be reached via e-mail at Bill.Stephens@BillStephens.com, or visit his website, www.BillStephens.com.

Source: Stephens for Secretary of State, Inc.