Secretary Handel Announces In-Person Early Voting For the General Election Beginning September 22

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel announced September 18 that Georgia voters can cast ballots in-person for the General Election beginning Monday, September 22, 2008. Voters will be able to vote at their county registrar’s office without providing a reason.

Secretary Handel worked with the Georgia General Assembly to change the law to allow voters to cast ballots 45 days prior to an election, either by mail or in person without providing a reason.

“Georgia will experience large voter turnout in the November General Election,” Secretary Handel said. “This change in the law gives voters more options to cast their ballot and will ease wait times on Election Day.”

Voters can request a mail-in ballot or vote early in-person through Friday, October 31, 2008. All mail-in ballots must be received no later than 7:00 p.m. by the county registrar on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail. To download a mail-in ballot request form, please visit http://www.sos.georgia.gov/ElectionCenter.

To find early voting locations and operating hours in your county, please contact your county registrar’s office. Contact information can be found on the Election Center website: http://www.sos.georgia.gov/ElectionCenter.

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Voters can find voter registration information, including polling locations and legislative districts, by visiting http://www.sos.georgia.gov/ElectionCenter.

Voters casting ballots in-person during early voting or on Election Day will be required to show one of the following six forms of photo ID:

* 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 Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS);
* 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; or
* Valid tribal photo ID.

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Secretary of State Handel Issues Decisions on Candidate Residency Challenges

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel issued the following decisions today regarding candidate residency challenges.

Ian O’Brien v. Keith Gross: Secretary Handel adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and held that Keith Gross does not meet the residency requirements for state House of Representatives, District 80.

Prominent notices will be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of Mr. Gross’s disqualification, and all votes cast for Mr. Gross will be void and not counted.

Hillary O. Stewart v. Cecillia Hailey: Secretary Handel adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s decision to deny the challenge to Ms. Hailey’s residency.

Earnest “Coach” Williams v. Clyburn Halley, Jr.: Secretary Handel adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s decision to deny the challenge to Mr. Halley’s residency.

Joan Garner v. Erik Underwood: Based upon the evidence presented in the hearing officer’s findings of fact, Secretary Handel held that Mr. Underwood does not meet the residency requirements for state Senate District 36.

Mr. Underwood does not own property, does not pay rent, and does not receive mail in the district. OSAH hearing notices sent to the address provided by Mr. Underwood in his “Declaration of Candidacy and Affidavit” were returned undeliverable.

Prominent notices will be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of Mr. Underwood’s disqualification, and all votes cast for Mr. Underwood will be void and not counted.

Karen Handel v. James R. Powell: Based upon the evidence, Secretary Handel held that Jim Powell does not meet the residency requirements for Public Service Commission, District 4.

Mr. Powell owns a home in Towns County, which is within District 4. However, at the time he qualified as a candidate for Public Service Commission, District 4, he received a homestead exemption and continued to receive mail at a home owned in Cobb County, which is not within District 4. He also provided his Cobb County address as his mailing address to the Towns County Tax Assessors Office.

Prominent notices will be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of Mr. Powell’s disqualification, and all votes cast for Mr. Powell will be void and not counted.

Secretary of State Handel Applauds Denial of Georgia Democratic Party’s Motion to Block Use of Photo ID

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel issued the following statement today regarding Fulton County Superior Court Judge Tom Campbell’s denial of the Georgia Democratic Party’s motion for a Temporary Restraining Order to block the use of photo identification in the July 15, 2008 General Primary:

“I applaud Judge Campbell’s ruling to deny the Democratic Party’s frivolous motion to block the use of photo ID in the General Primary Election. Photo ID has been implemented without incident in eight elections, including the Presidential Preference Primary that featured record voter turnout.

“In the past year, the Georgia Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court in Rome and the U.S. Supreme Court have all rejected attacks on the constitutionality of the photo ID requirement. Opponents of photo ID have failed to produce even one voter who has been harmed by the requirement, despite years of scouring the state in search of such an individual.

“I remind voters that Georgia’s photo ID law remains in place. As required by the law, Georgia voters casting their ballots in-person on Election Day must bring one of the required six forms of photo ID to the polls on July 15.”

Secretary of State Karen Handel Certifies State House District 93 Special Election Run-off

Secretary of State Karen Handel today certified the election results for the June 10, 2008 special election run-off in State House District 93.

Georgia House District 93 (100% of precincts reporting)

Votes Percentage
Dee Dawkins-Haigler
297 54.3%

Malik Douglas
250 45.7%

Total
547


Secretary Handel transmitted the certified results of the election to the Governor’s Office and the House Clerk. Ms. Dawkins-Haigler’s commission, ID card, and an election certificate were also included in the transmission.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.