Georgia Republicans want to pass legislation requiring photo ID for mail-in ballots after 2020 election results

While there is no evidence to suggest that fraudulent activity took place in Georgia during the November election, the state’s top Republican leaders have expressed support for the additional criteria needed to place ballots by mail in future races.

Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp and Foreign Secretary Brad Raffensperger have both promised Republicans separate policies that require absentee voters to submit photo identification along with their mail ballots in comments made last month. Joe Biden.

Rafensberger pushed hard against Donald TrumpUnproven allegations that misconduct contributed to the outcome of the Georgia election Reforming absentee ballot laws In a public speech on November 20.

“I will work with legislators to find a solution that allows us to use the same security measures for votes by mail as we have for individual voting,” he said. “It requires a photo ID. I know it works.”

Amid the lawsuits of the Trump campaign, and later, Rivers, Georgia’s affirmation, Rafens‌perger defended state election policies on several occasions and criticized attacks on their legitimacy. However, he acknowledged that the flow of mail-in ballots this year, as a result of the epidemic, “raised concerns about election integrity” during the November announcement.

Kemp argues for an amendment proposed by Rafensberger to absentee voting protocols In the comments Delivered later that day.

“Voters who cast their ballots in person must show a photo ID, and we must consider applying the same criteria to the mail-in ballot,” the governor said, referring to the Secretary of State’s remarks.

“I have heard from members of the General Assembly that I appreciate their input and share their concerns,” Kemp continued. “I look forward to working with Lt. Governor Duncan, Speaker Ralston and members of both organizations to address issues raised over the past few weeks.”

Kemp Hall spokesman Cody Hall confirmed in a statement that the governor’s “position has not changed” regarding photo identification requirements for absent voters. Newsweek On Thursday.

The Trump campaign targeted Kemp and Rafansperger after the election. Recently, sitting President Georgia’s second presidential ballot audit also stated that it would not give accurate results without additional signature matching efforts to re-verify the identity of absent voters.

The more formal demand of the campaign for repeat signature match policies has made it impossible for Georgia’s election officials to remove mail ballots from their respective envelopes for confidential reasons after the signatures are initially verified. In addition, in a statement issued on November 15, Rafens‌berger stated that Georgia “strengthened the signature match this year”, explaining that it was training election workers to verify matches twice before the ballots were confirmed. Voters have set up an online portal to request digitally absent ballots before the election and those who use it are required to submit photo identification.

“In this state, voters cast their ballots secretly so that no political party or candidate can threaten or intimidate the voter or her vote. We will protect the integrity of the vote,” Rafens‌perger said.

According to 11alive.com, election workers have finalized the results of Georgia’s statewide ballot recount, following a manual audit of all votes cast for the presidency on Thursday. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.

Newsweek Rafens‌berger reached out to the office for further comment, but did not receive a reply in time for publication.