Democratic Party Ninth District Larry Sohoran

In Australia citizens are required to vote. Here in Dahlonega/Lumpkin County, Georgia we are not required. Voting in the United States is considered a right and privilege with the emphasis on right. If you do not vote, you have lost more than a little money by way of a fine. You have lost a significant part of your rights; in my opinion a much greater loss than cash. Georgia law requires a photo ID to exercise your right to vote. A valid driver's license or a State or National issued ID. The voter registration office in Lumpkin County can issue a valid ID. The Democratic Party is interested in helping anyone who does not hold a valid photo ID obtain this important document. While there is very little evidence of voter fraud in Georgia or Lumpkin County, the Courts have ruled that this ID is necessary for next year's local, state and national elections. We Democrats urge you to obtain a valid ID in plenty of time to exercise your right to vote.

Many see the requirement for a valid ID as an attempt to limit the number of voters in elections. Certainly, limiting the number who vote can benefit incumbents. At issue is our right to limit the number of terms an elected official may hold by voting the official out of office.

At all levels, (local, state and national) the 2008 elections are critical. It has become very difficult to attract candidates for elected offices because incumbents have traditionally had an advantage of name recognition. Further limiting the numbers of voters is a decided advantage to those currently holding office.

You may hear someone say my one vote doesn't really mean much. This excuse for not voting is wrong. One vote does matter; many elections are won or lost by one vote. When you do not vote, the strength of the voter who does vote can be doubled. This is another reason to be sure to vote. In fact, the recent Dahlonega City Council election was decided by only about 20 votes. Happily in this case both candidates were good men either of whom would have made good Council members.

If you apply for an absentee ballot in person, you will be required to present a valid ID. However if you apply by mail for an absentee ballot, a picture ID is not required. In any case casting your ballot has become a more difficult process.

It seems reasonable to me that a solution to the issue would be to require at most a picture ID when you register or when you vote under the required ID law once. As long as you can attest in subsequent elections that you are in fact the voter who earlier presented a picture, you should be cleared to vote.

Be especially vigilant when changes are made in who can or cannot vote. Again, there is very little evidence that voter fraud has occurred in recent years. In fact, the courts have settled many controversies over elections. In one national election, you may recall, the Supreme Court declared the President of the United State the winner.

For assistance in obtaining a valid photo ID, call 706-864- 6772.

Larry Sorohan is a life-long Democrat. He is the former manager of the successful Dahlonega Betterhometown Program. He and his family have lived in Dahlonega since 1972.