According to a new study, tough photo ID laws in 17 states, including Georgia, could affect voter turnout in November. The study points to a key congressional race in Georgia’s 12th District in Augusta.

Researchers concluded that overall turnout by young minorities between the ages of 18-29 could drop by more than half a million voters in states with strict photo ID laws. Georgia’s photo ID law hasn’t changed since 2008, but a new state law requires more identification to get a valid driver’s license.

The newly re-drawn 12th congressional district now has about 275,000 African-American voters. Study co-author Jon Rogowski says those potential votes could be the deciding factor in the race between Democratic incumbent John Barrow and his Republican challenger from Grovetown, Lee Anderson:

“And if African Americans disproportionately hold voter ID’s at lower rates than whites, then that’s going to dilute the political potency of African American voices at the ballot box... so it really could make a difference between holding his seat for Barrow as a Democratic incumbent.”

In Georgia, if you show up to vote without proper identification, you can still vote with a provisional ballot—then have 3 days to provide proper ID for your vote to be counted.

Tags: parker wallace, voter ID law