Voter ID Bill Passes Senate

A bill that would require most voters to show a photo ID at the polls has cleared the Senate. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Facing challenges the rule harkens back to Jim Crow-era laws, Senate Elections Committee Chair Terry Burton defended the bill yesterday on the Senate floor.

“I wish I could snap my fingers and do away with racism and intimidation,” said Burton. “I can’t. There are people out there who have hard feelings on both sides. The fact of the matter is this bill is not an intimidation on anyone, it’s a way to secure the vote for everyone.”

The photo requirement is stricter than legislation introduced last year. Counties would provide free identification to people who don’t have a valid ID. This wasn’t enough to convince Senator David Jordan of Greenwood.

“This is a barrier that is being forced on people, that they don’t need,” said Jordan.

An amendment added to the bill would exclude anyone born before 1946. Voters without ID would still be able to vote by affidavit ballot. The measure now heads to the House.