The Georgia VoteSafe Program -- sponsored in the 2009 legislative session by State Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) -- has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Secretary of State Karen Handel announced the approval today of the program, enabled by House Bill 227.

The Georgia VoteSafe Program provides for the confidentiality of residence address of certain registered voters who have been, or may be, subject to acts of family violence, stalking or currently reside in a family violence shelter.

“The Georgia VoteSafe Program protects victims of violence and their right to participate in the elections process,” Handel said. “Georgia citizens should not have to fear for their safety when registering to vote and casting their ballot.”

Georgians can participate in the VoteSafe Program if they are a resident of the State of Georgia; are a registered voter; and are under either a protective order, restraining order, or are a resident of a family violence shelter, all as defined by Georgia law.

The VoteSafe Program provides that the residence address of a VoteSafe participant will remain confidential at all times from public disclosure and shall be used only for voter registration purposes.

Georgians can visit www.sos.ga.gov/votesafe to review the program’s eligibility requirements and download the required application forms.