Lt. Gov. Duncan wants to keep mail-in ballots but require photo identification

ATLANTA — Georgia’s lieutenant governor is joining the governor and House speaker in saying he supports requiring proof of identity from someone seeking to cast an absentee ballot, but he doesn’t want to get rid of no-excuse mail-in ballots, as Republican senators have proposed.

Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan told reporters Tuesday that he supports the change even though he’s been outspoken in saying he didn’t detect any fraud in Georgia’s November and January elections. Many Republicans, recoiling at Donald Trump’s loss of the state in November, have claimed without proof that there were fraudulent mail-in ballots.

“I don’t necessarily identify a problem we’re trying to solve. I think this is an opportunity,” Duncan said. “I think the best step forward is for us to just look for an opportunity to create photo ID process.”

GOP state senators, whose support provides Duncan with much of his power and influence, have proposed eliminating no-excuse absentee voting. Broad mail-in balloting was implemented by a Republicancontrolled legislature in 2005. Senate Republicans also want to ban ballot drop boxes and implement a photo ID requirement for voters who have a specific excuse to vote absentee.

Duncan said he was unsure if anything should be done about drop boxes. He denied that his different position would create tension with Senate Republicans, with whom he shares leadership of the 56-member upper chamber.

“We have a great working relationship,” Duncan said.

Democrats and voting rights advocates oppose ending no-excuse mail-in ballots, saying Republicans are reacting to their losses by trying to limit a form of voting which swung heavily to favor Democrats in recent months after attacks on mail-in voting by President Donald Trump.