Georgia voter registration now online, by smartphone | The Augusta Chronicle

The first Georgian to register to vote online, or by smartphone, Westside High School valedictorian Eniolufe Asebiomo signed up in Augusta before an audience of hundreds of elections officials from across the state.

State Elections Director Linda Ford, left, and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, right, help Westside High School student Eni Asebiomo become the first person to use the state’s new online voter registration system Monday morning.

Asebiomo called the new technology, unveiled Monday by Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, “a really a good step, that innovates technology into the civic process” at the conference of elections officials, held this week at Augusta Convention Center.

Surprised by the crowds who shook his hand and took photos with him Monday, Asebiomo said he has grown interested in the intersection of technology, education and policy. While such technology might give rise to such things as mobile voter registration, Asebiomo says he may study it at one of the ivy-league institutions that have offered him an education.

“I feel like it’s good for politicians to learn all the literary skills, but a lot of what we’re missing in higher-level government officials is having that dual knowledge in electronics and engineering as well. I hope to combine those two roles and bring something different to the table,” he said.

Kemp said the new system, which requires voters to have a Georgia driver’s license or state ID, will save counties time and money. The system transmits an electronic copy of a voter’s drivers license or state ID to the secretary of state’s office.

“Georgians deserve to be able to register to vote or change their information with as much ease as possible. This not only will provide benefits to the voter, but also for all 159 counties,” Kemp said.

via Georgia voter registration now online, by smartphone | The Augusta Chronicle.