Judge denies voter citizenship verification suit

ATLANTA - A federal judge denied an attempt by voting groups to block Georgia's attempts to verify the identities and citizenship of new voter applicants.

The groups argued they amounted to a ``systematic purging'' of rolls just weeks before the election, and filed a federal lawsuit saying the immigration checks must first be approved by the Department of Justice.

U.S. District Judge Jack Camp denied the order Thursday, saying it could lead to ``significant voter confusion.'' But he said the plaintiffs may still press their case before a three-judge panel set to hear the case on Wednesday.

Georgia is among several states with a history of discriminatory voting practices that must clear an additional hurdle. It must get federal approval before changing election policy under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.