Sen. Bill Stephens Update: President renews provisions of the Federal Voting Rights Act

Posted Friday, July 28, 2006

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This morning, President Bush signed legislation passed by Congress renewing expiring portions of the Federal Voting Rights Act for another 25 years. I would like to thank members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation – in particular Congressmen Lynn Westmoreland, Charlie Norwood, and Nathan Deal – for their efforts to protect Georgia from the renewal of unfair and antiquated provisions of this Act. These leaders faced an uphill battle to forge a fair and equitable compromise with Congressional leadership; their hard work in the face of such challenges should be recognized.

Unfortunately, their efforts fell short before final approval of this legislation and provisions of the VRA relating to federal review of election changes in certain southern states and multi lingual ballots were renewed.

This renewal has very real consequences for Georgia. Despite all of the progress our state has made over the past 40 years since the VRA was first implemented, Georgia will continue to be singled out and punished by the federal government. We cannot enforce our photo I.D. law, re-draw a district map, or even move a precinct location without first gaining approval by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

Another provision of the VRA that was renewed today may soon force Georgia to provide non-English language ballots and foreign language poll workers to communities that are deemed by the federal government as lacking in English proficiency.

Although prevention of renewal of these unfair provisions failed, I am proud that the three statesmen courageous enough to fight against renewal of these inequitable portions have already endorsed my candidacy for Secretary of State. Congressmen Westmoreland, Norwood, and Deal exhibited the kind of courage and strength I vow to bring to the office of Secretary of State.

For eight years, I have stood up for Georgia as a Senate leader and I will continue to do so as Georgia’s next Secretary of State. In the Senate, I lead the way on election reform issues like paper audit trails for our electronic voting machines and voter photo I.D. I’m proud of my record of standing up for Georgia, challenging Jesse Jackson to a debate and condemning the New York Times when they chastised our photo I.D. law. I vow to bring a new, stronger attitude to the office. Georgians need a Secretary of State who fights for Georgia, not apologizes for it.

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