We all vote. Whether it's during a major election or to have pizza or sandwiches during a working lunch; we have all, in some way or another, been given the opportunity to resolve an issue by stating our choice. The concept is simple. Various sides of an issue are presented to a group of people. The people consider each view, draw their own conclusion and choose one of the views based on their wants, needs and/or beliefs.

The practice of voting in this country has been a heated and highly visible issue for a long time in the African American community. And with the recent passing of the Georgia Voter ID Bill, which requires all Georgians to present photo identification to vote, voting is once again at center stage. Georgians need to leave their social security cards, utility bills and birth certificates at home when they go to vote. These forms of identification (along with 14 others) will not be acceptable identifiers at the polls. Now all voters must show a picture ID, i.e. Georgia driver's license or a state issued photo ID to vote.

Passed on August 26 and titled House Bill 244, this new legislation faces hard challenges to remain in existence. It also stands against a barrage of questions. Is Georgia trying to curb voter fraud? Is this measure an attempt at voter suppression? Or is Georgia trying to create more responsible citizens who value the democratic process so much, that they are willing to do whatever it takes to cast a ballot? Though the latter may be a bit far fetched, voter suppression is the primary argument for groups like the NAACP and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). Leaders in each group contend that the Georgia Voter ID Law will keep minority, poor and elderly voters from voting, thus stifling the collective, political voice of Georgia 's so-called have-nots.

Here are some facts that will allow one to draw their own conclusion.

•  Current data shows that African Americans are five times less likely to have access to a vehicle; therefore they have no need for a driver's license.

•  There are 159 counties in Georgia but only 56 have places where residents can obtain a driver's license. None of these places are in the city of Atlanta or in counties with the highest percentage of African Americans.

•  Some people cannot afford the fee for a state-issued photo ID. ($20 for an ID card with five-years validity and $35 for an ID card with ten years validity)

•  The new law does allow people to vote absentee without an excuse. These votes by mail do not require a photo ID. (Some political observers have stated Republicans stand to benefit the most from absentee voting.)

•  The Georgia Voter ID Law has strong Republican support.

•  Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has been quoted as saying, “Requiring valid, photographic identification is a common sense step to ensure voter integrity and sound elections.”

•  Secretary of State Cathy Cox says there are no instances of voter fraud at the polls documented during her term. Cox is serving her second term as Secretary of State having been elected since 1998.

•  Voting rights experts have communicated that 30 states do not require registered voters to present any form of identification to vote. And though 20 states do require some form of ID, only two (Georgia and Indiana) stipulate photo ID as the only acceptable identifier.

The list of facts goes on, as does a list to counter each one. But one of the most important facts remains. To paraphrase Don Cheadle's valiant character in the movie Rosewood , “There comes a time when Black people got to stop running and stand up and defend they rights!” In this instance it's not just African Americans, but other non-white races and those with small voices. The running come by way of not staying informed and or of not informing others about the happenings within our communities. Ignorance of such breeds missed opportunities and generations of sub standard status quos. The defense comes by way of volunteering with voter registration efforts and volunteering at the polls. Of course it can go further; it merely depends on one's chosen method of action.

People continue to struggle in the aftermath of sister hurricanes, Katrina and Rita and 911 attack on America still forces us into private moments of silence. So a bigger question is; Are the citizens of Georgia who are mainly affected by this new law aware of the required expectations for upcoming elections? Though it stands to reason that the prominent issue here is racial and socio-economic discrimination the fact remains; the law is what it is today. Maybe tomorrow, with so much opposition and the onset of law suits it will change. But those of us who have been afforded opportunities unseen by many of the state's poor, minority or elderly citizens should take an active role in reaching out to educate. Apathy and ignorance of how we are governed has to stop being reasons for legislation like the Georgia Voter ID Law being in existence.

 

Sources cited: Georgia Department of Driver Services, civilrights.org, CNN.com