ATLANTA – Legislation commonly known as the “Shooter/Voter” bill passed the Senate and House during the 2004 and now heads to Governor Sonny Perdue’s desk for his signature.  Authored by Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome), who also serves as Gov. Perdue’s administration floor leader in the Senate, the measure will allow Georgian’s to register to vote when they apply for a hunting and/or fishing license within the state.  The proposal got it’s moniker from legislation that passed several years ago, known as the “motor/voter bill,” that allows people to register to vote when they renew their state driver’s license. 

Applications for these licenses are obtained through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and this legislation will allow the state DNR and the Georgia Secretary of State’s office to work in tandem to register Georgians over the age of 17 to vote.  Senate Bill 541 however, would not “require” those applying for a license to register to vote at the same time. 

“Voting is one of our privileges as Americans,” Sen. Smith said after the bill passed both chambers.  “It is incumbent upon us to do whatever is in our power to make it easier for Georgians to register to vote so that their voice can be heard at the ballot box.  Thousands of men and women throughout this world would give anything to have the right to choose their elected officials in a free and democratic way, and as we encourage our neighbors to exercise this right, we need to make it easier for them to register and go to the polls.”