Photo ID voter bill passes
RICHMOND – Virginians looking to cast their votes after July 1, 2014, will have to present a photo identification card at the polls under a bill that passed the General Assembly today.
Senate Bill 1256 requires a photo ID card – such as a driver’s license or student ID card issued by a university – to vote. If someone does not have photo ID, the measure requires the local registrar’s office to provide one.
The bill passed the House today largely along party lines and still requires approval from Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Opponents argued the change is a thinly veiled voter-suppression effort and will place an undue burden on voters who are elderly or poor.
For example, Del. Bob Krupicka, D-Fairfax County, said someone living at the far end of his district would have to travel more than two hours by bus one way to obtain a voter ID from the registrar there.
“To fulfill the obligations under this bill, we are telling someone who’s poor or someone who’s elderly that they have to spend upwards of seven hours of a day to travel across Fairfax County to get their ID and travel back,” Krupicka said. “I would say that that is a burden higher than we ask of anyone else to vote. It is a burden higher than we should ask of anyone else to vote.”
Others likened the bill to Jim Crow-era laws aimed at keeping blacks from voting and said it could end up costing as much as $21 million.
“Any bill that places any barriers to someone exercising their fundamental right to vote is anathema to many citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia who fought and were terrorized and in some cases died to exercise that right,” said Del. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond.
But proponents of the measure said the sanctity of that right is why it’s so important to ensure it’s not abused, and that those casting ballots are eligible to vote and not usurping someone else’s identity.
“There is no one on this side of the aisle trying to deny anyone the right to vote,” said Del. Jackson Miller, R-Manassas. “We are trying to uphold the integrity of the system by ensuring that those who vote are allowed to vote and that people are not cheating the system. That is simple concept.”
Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, said Virginia State Police investigated 194 founded cases of voter fraud in 2012. He also said voter turnout has improved in Georgia, which began requiring a photo ID to vote in 2006, including for black and Latino voters.
SB1256 is the most far-reaching change to the state’s electoral process this year. The Assembly already has passed legislation requiring training for organizers of voter registration drives and removing Social Security cards, bank statements and other documents from those potential voters may present to confirm their identity.
The House today also passed SB1577 requiring voter registrars to compare their list of registered voters with a federal database of immigrants residing in the country illegally. Opponents argued the database is “riddled with errors” and could disenfranchise Virginians who formerly lived here illegally but have since attained citizenship.
-Kathy Adams, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
February 20, 2013 - 4:39 PM
How many of our tax dollars will it take to prevent how many cases of fraud?
By hook or by crook, they are going to remove minority voters, one way or another. Jackson Miller, I do not believe you. I think you are absolutely trying to deny some people the right to vote. Funny how you all can so embrace “prior restraint” when it suits your purposes.
Will the Registrars be able to take these photos and make this ID? Free? That will cost what for the equipment and doubtless extra “manpower”? We cannot waste money unless it is pursuit of Jim Crow. Way to go Virginny!
Sandi: This time your totally correct!
The bill aims to deny people the right to vote who do not possess it in the first place.
BTW, just ran upon this and tend to feel it goes right along with the voter topic.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/21/us-usa-immigration-idUSBRE91K01A20130221
Of course since the left has gone to great lengths and done so very successfully to cultivate the support of illegals it’s perfectly understandable that they want to see them slither under the curtain on election day.
Do you have evidence of illegal immigrants voting Bubba Greene?
“Do you have evidence of illegal immigrants voting Bubba Greene?”
Heck, I can answer that one for Bubba. No.
I suppose your next question is, Well, yeah, but can you show more evidence?
http://www.greeleygazette.com/press/?p=9226
Well, while the article quotes sources as claiming many illegals voted in the election, they really only specificlly note 2 who were interviewed and admitted to being illegal and voting, so since it is such a small number I guess this don’t really count.
http://frontpagemag.com/2012/volpe/complaint-filed-over-illegal-alien-voters/
Now, I’m not at all sure we should even count this one either as it was reported by Fox News and once again, it was apparently not really a “bunch” of voters.
http://www.vdare.com/posts/illegals-registered-to-vote-in-lawrence-ma-but-officials-shrug-give-ice-official-give-bruce-fo
Seems to me the only ones who oppose proof of citizenship to vote are, first, the illegal and secondly the party that they support ie the “left”.
Face it, many states and cities offer illegals free and easy access to all sorts of bennies so why not give them the vote as well.
You call that “proof”? Funny how you are so willing to fight tooth and nail and bullet over the right to keep and bear any arms/magazine you like and so easily dismiss the most precious right a citizen can have –the right to vote. Typical.
The liberals know darned good and well that the only way they can win elections is by voter fraud. This bill is a direct answer to that. And another thing…Why can`t the `poor and elderly` get I.D`s ? Bet they don`t have any problems when it comes to travelling to the polls.
After a good night’s sleep I think I have overlooked a big part of the liberal argument on this and other similar things. We have a law against non citizens entering this country, thus there are none. We have a law that only citizens can vote thus by definition any voter is a citizen. Same Same as applies to things like gun control. Legislation to make an act illegal fixes things. We make a law that bans guns thus we eliminate gun crime. Man, it’s all so easy!
But back to the real point of a voter ID. We issue registration “cards” now. Since I have returned to Va a few years ago, I have always taken mine to the polls. I state my name and they check it out on the register. Seems like in that process either I or they confirm the physical address and I have my voter registration in hand. It takes all of about 10 seconds normally.Where is the lengthy delay if that registration “card” were to include a current photo and they look at it and look at me and let me proceed. The idea that it targets minority voters is, like the author of that concept, INSANE. It targets illegal voters, PERIOD! Now, if the author of that comment is confirming that there are more illigal minorities who vote illegally then I suppose you could say it targets minorities but WOW, how’s that for reason to oppose it!
Boys and girls: The question was “do you have “EVIDENCE”. Re Read your question Sandi and gdod. Evidence is offered, now you want proof. Most odd of you. Toss up an objection, have your objection squashed and then change gears! Just like the left always does.
DOJ has reported at least 120 cases prosecuted in “recent years” with 86 convictions.
Another investigation shows 2068 fraud cases prosecuted between 2000 and ???? (not clear) and the convictions were also not clear but convictions were reported.
The Texas AG reports over 50 cases prosecuted with convictions “recently”.
There is clear evidence of and proof of voter fraud, that is to say illegals voting as well as individuals presenting themselves at the poles as someone other than who they actually are. (Another element of fraud that can be addressed by an ID)
There is just no way this hurts anyone, causes any delays or inhibits “minorities” from voting and there is no reason to object to it unless the illegal vote goes to the people objecting.
Conservatives MIGHT also have illegals voting for them but conservatives have integrity, unlike the left. Conservatives do not want illegal votes even if it were to enhance the possibility of a victory for them. Liberals will beg borrow steal, and encourage anyone to do anything, bribes included, to case a fradulent ballot.
….and another liberal pair bite the dust….
In this country we have to have a photo ID for everything. What is the big deal about Photo ID for voting?? It is the most important thing in our country to keep our elections free of fraud. Look at that cute little lady in Ohio that voted 6 times for Obama. How about that mess in St. Lucie FL where over 100% of the registered voters voted. And you say there is no voter fraud?? Seriously??
Blaming voter fraud for the GOP’s inability to win the Presidential Election is laughable. Party infighting, coupled with unqualified out of touch candidates, is the real problem. Claiming voter fraud is nothing more than feed for the followers!
Awood, please show us your evidence that Obama won through fraud. We’ll wait for you.
LTM, the photo ID is not about preventing fraud.
Well of course I will take your non-sourced word for all of those “facts” anonymous blogger “Bubba Greene”, why would I not?
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Even 3000-5000 proven, adjudicated and punished “voter fraud” cases would not be in proportion (Nor could they sway a national election) to the tens of thousands of Americans who do not have that “holy grail” DMV issued photo ID, and for those in their 80′s or 90′s possibly not even the birth certificate required to gain one.
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But you go ahead and whine about how put out able bodied gun owners are over every gun control issue while expecting people in their 80′s, 90′s and beyond to just travel all over and jump through every hoop the GOTP can create if that makes you feel like a “good American”. It makes me sick to think that even one eligible voter is put off voting their one little effort at having a say just so you all can win an election.
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You can assert voter fraud and that is how ‘the left’ wins all day long, like most else you say, it does not make it true until you can prove it.