Three states debate laws that would require photo IDs at the polls
By Associated Press
Published March 31, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS - Legislation that would require voters to show photo identification before casting ballots has touched off debate in three states, with opponents saying 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 could 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 say the bills would restore voter confidence and eliminate fraud without overly burdening voters, most of whom have 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.
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. The legislation 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, pointed out 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."
Rokita said he believes his state will lead the charge to change election law.
"In five years, the whole nation is going to be like Indiana," he said. "A majority of people want this in their elections."
