There is more than one way to skin a cat – and according to state Rep. Jeff Jones (R-Brunswick), there is more than one way to affect legislation other than passing it through the Capitol.
During the 2019 legislative session Jones introduced HB 270, which sought to strengthen voter ID security by having the Georgia Department of Drivers Services (DDS) make it clear on their website that the Limited Term Driver’s License, which Georgia issues to non-citizens, is not acceptable at the polls for Voter ID. Previously the site indicated, incorrectly, that a Limited Term Driver’s License entitled its owner to the same rights and privileges as a standard GA Class C Driver’s License.
That bill stalled out in the House, but on Tuesday morning Jones took to the House floor to deliver a “morning order” regarding his continued pursuit of getting that change made – this time not via the legislature but administratively.
Said Jones, “This past week, I was able to resolve the goals of HB 270 administratively in a meeting I held with the Commissioner of DDS. Very simply, HB 270 legislatively required that the Georgia Department of Drivers Services make it clear on their website that the Limited Term Driver’s License, which Georgia issues to non-citizens, is not acceptable at the polls for Voter ID. Previous DDS wording indicated that holders of the Limited Term Driver’s License, which is considered a Class C Driver’s License, were entitled to all same the rights and privileges as any holder of a GA Class C Driver’s License, whether a citizen or non-citizen.”
He continued, “Rather than passing a law, the change I requested was made administratively to the DDS website last Thursday, March 28th; their website and internal documentation now says that the Limited Term Driver’s License is NOT ACCEPTABLE for voter ID purposes.”
Although marked as “LIMITED-TERM,” these cards grant the same privileges as regular Georgia driver’s licenses, permits and ID cards. However, cards marked as “LIMITED-TERM” cannot be used for voting purposes.
“Further, at my request, DDS has officially notified the SOS Office, in writing, of the changes by DDS regarding Limited Term driver’s licenses making it clear that the Limited Term Driver License is not acceptable for voter ID.
“I also requested in writing that the SOS office update the Poll Workers Training Manual to make it clear that the Limited Term Driver’s License is not acceptable ID at the polls for voting privileges, which it does not now state.
“My success at administratively achieving the goals spelled out in HB 270 is an example of how having the right leadership at the right time in the right place will allow for such logical and much-needed changes to be made on behalf of the citizens of GA. Thank you, Gov. Kemp and DDS Commissioner Moore.”
So job done, case closed right? Not so fast says one critic.
Anti-illegal immigration activist D.A. King told InsiderAdvantage via email that the administrative change had not done nearly enough to enact the actual goals of HB 270.
Said King, “I am on a fact-finding trip on the Arizona/Mexico border and limited on time to fully describe my amazed disappointment that Rep Jeff Jones doesn’t seem to understand the language of his HB 270 and the goal of actually changing state law to make non-citizen drivers licenses unacceptable as proper ID for voting purposes.
I would be grateful to Rep. Jones to cite the line number in HB 270 that required DDS to “make it clear on their website that the Limited Term driver’s license which Georgia issues to non-citizens is not acceptable at the polls for voter ID.”
It is my experience the General Assembly that makes law that determines what credentials are proper ID for voting purposes in Georgia I suspect that law is not changed with any post on the DDS website.
I urge all concerned to see Georgia law cited in the piece IAG was kind enough to post on this topic. I will have more to say here when I return from the border. Rep. Jones is a very nice person and has solid conservative values. He should be thanked for his interest in this issue. We urge him to review his legislation and we urge the Republican-ruled legislature to provide a real fix on this.”
