ATLANTA (AP)-- The U.S. Department of Justice has signed off on a Georgia program designed to keep the voter records of domestic violence victims confidential.

Under the VoteSafe program, the residence address of a registered voter in Georgia can remain under wraps if the voter is under either a protective order, a restraining order, or is a resident of a family violence shelter.

Secretary of State Karen Handel, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, said the new law allows domestic violence victims to cast a ballot without fearing for their safety.

The VoteSafe Program was sponsored by Rep. Katie Dempsey, a Rome Republican.

The Justice Department must sign off on voting law changes in Georgia under the Voting Rights Act.