Voter ID (H 7388, S 2141)

The Affiliate and other civil rights groups testified against legislation that would require voters to show identification at the polls.  Studies have shown that a voter ID requirement can serve as a poll tax, disenfranchising eligible voters and posing a particular burden on poor, elderly, disabled and minority voters who may not have the requisite ID or the ability to pay to obtain the necessary documents for one. The ACLU also charged that the bill is an attempt to “fix” a non-existent problem of alleged voter impersonation at the polls. Though the bill did pass the House last year, the Affiliate is hopeful that it will die in committee this time around.