Posted on 03/31/2005 2:27:11 PM PST by Dubya
INDIANAPOLIS - Legislation that would require voters to show photo identification before casting ballots has touched off fierce debate in three states, with opponents complaining the measures represent a return to the days of poll taxes and Jim Crow.
Lawmakers in Georgia and Indiana walked off the job to protest the proposals, which they say would deprive the poor, the elderly and minorities of the right to vote. Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, has already vetoed a similar measure and has vowed to do so again.
Republicans argue the bills would restore voter confidence and eliminate fraud without overly burdening voters, most of whom have driver’s licenses or photo IDs anyway.
"I want everyone to be able to vote – once," said Indiana state Sen. Victor Heinold, a Republican.
Nineteen states require voters to show identification, but only five of those request photo ID, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Those states – Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and South Dakota – allow voters without a photo ID to present other forms of identification, such as a utility bill, or sign an affidavit of identity.
Critics say the measures in Indiana, Georgia and Wisconsin do not provide good alternatives for those without photo IDs.
Georgia’s proposal, for example, would allow people without photo IDs to cast provisional ballots but require them to return within 48 hours with a picture ID.
State Sen. Vincent Fort, an Atlanta Democrat, said that amounts to "an updated form of Jim Crow," referring to segregation-era laws that kept blacks from voting. About 100 people rallied outside the Georgia Capitol last week to protest the legislation, which passed the state Senate on Tuesday and now goes to the House.
Wisconsin would require a government-issued photo ID from nearly all voters. Exceptions would be granted for domestic abuse victims, nursing home residents and those who have lost their driver’s license.
Indiana would exempt only those who sign affidavits swearing they are too poor to get an ID or that they have religious objections to obtaining one.
Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, a Republican, noted that people already need photo ID for basic bank transactions. "Is everyone a racist? Are bank tellers racist?" he said. "I simply don’t believe it is going to have the effect that they claim it does."
South Dakota enacted a photo ID law last year but allows voters to sign a one-paragraph affidavit of identity if they do not bring ID to the polls. In the November election, 2 percent of voters signed the affidavit, said Secretary of State Chris Nelson, a Republican. But some counties with large numbers of American Indians saw up to 25 percent of voters arrive at the polls without photo ID, he said.
Similarly, in Georgia, the state chapter of AARP estimated that 36 percent of Georgia residents 75 or older lack driver’s licenses.
Minorities hardest hit!
Aren't legal I.D.'s like 7 dollars? (her in ILLinois they are)
There is nothing I can say here.... it all sucks.
Wahwahwah! If the Georgia law passes the state will provide the ID for free if you don't already have one. In Indiana a state provided ID card is $9 and lasts for 4 years. If you can't handle either of those options, maybe you have bigger problems in life than voting.
The Dems are the party of vote fraud, and if these ID requirements go into effect it will make fraud that much harder. Ignore the other excuses about poverty and racism. Vote fraud is the only reason they oppose these laws.
"Critics say the measures in Indiana, Georgia and Wisconsin do not provide good alternatives for those without photo IDs. "
This is BS. Who actually gets through life with out a photo id? The mall around me has been requiring photo id when you use your credit card.
Why is this such a "hot" topic? I can sort of see it along the same lines as making everyone pass a reading test :/ but i would hardly say it is/could be used as a discrimination tool.
This just shows that Demotwits are composed of losers who can't figure out how to obtain a drivers license or a state issued photo ID......or they just don't want to make it difficult to commit vote fraud. Probably a little of both :-)
"they say would deprive the poor, the elderly and minorities of the right to vote."
Translated from Democratese to English: They say it would deprive Democrats of votes because it would hinder fraudulent voting.
How about retina scans? Damn, sorry I forgot about the blind.
In the Georgia proposal you can used an Expired Driver's license of get a Free Non-driver driver's license to use as an ID. What could be easier than that?
Vote fraud is the only reason they oppose these laws.
BINGO
Hope you don't mind my emphasizing.
As the Indy Sec. of State said you need a pic id for banking-and for renting videos, library cards, and a host of other things.
Does anyone here not have a pic id? How do ya get certain things done without it?
Gosh the media is so stupid and gullible. Showing ID has nothing to do with poll taxes or eligibility. There are 250 million adults in America, and I wager that no more than 50,000 of them walk out the door in the morning without a driver's license. That's 0.02%. How dumb do they think Americans are?
"Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, has already vetoed a similar measure and has vowed to do so again."
Let me be the first Wisconsinite to say, "No Chit." He's a crook from the git-go. Promised MILLIONS in kick-backs to Indian Gaming in our state in exchange for votes, then scr#wed them, too! He couldn't have gotten elected through an above-board election. I HATE my State Government.
Tommy Thompson? Where are you? Come save us from ourselves! We need you. We miss you! We LOVE you!
Doyle is, hands down, our Worst Governor EVER. If anyone doubts me, ask me to post the miriad scandals we've had in this state in the past four years. Half our legislature is going to the slammer on one corruption charge or another.
Criminey. I feel like I live in New Jersey, LOL!
When the state of Alabama can require picture ID, then let the other states come forward. Alabama is not the richest state in the union, but I will bet has less voter fraud than any of the three states mentioned in this article.
The bill in Georgia, which is one of the states provides for a free ID from the DMV for anyone who can't afford one. Plus, absentee voters can avoid showing ID altogether.
For what it's worth, it looks like the legislature here in Indiana will pass this bill and newly elected Governer Mitch Danials is certain to sign it into law.
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