Free ID cards proposed for absentee voting

House Speaker David Ralston announced a plan Wednesday to offer free Georgia ID cards that could be used for voting, opening bank accounts and traveling on airlines.

The ID cards would help voters comply with absentee voting identification requirement included in election overhaul legislation that passed the House on Monday. Under House Bill 531, voters requesting an absentee ballot would need to provide a driver’s license number, a state ID number or a copy of other identifying documents.