The Virginia House of Delegates recently approved House Bill 1560. The changes proposed in this bill are subtle and come off as innocuous at first glance. However, this measure would strip Virginians of their right to cast a regular ballot by affirming their identity at the polls on Election Day, instead forcing properly registered voters to cast provisional ballots for the grievous crime of leaving their state-approved ID at home.
In most states, first-time voters who registered by mail must provide suitable identification, per federal election law. This includes any of the following: current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. In Virginia, the law is extended to every voter, who must present a state voter registration card, social security card, valid state driver’s license, employee ID (with photo), or any ID issued by a state government agency. For each election after their first, Virginia law allows voters to cast a regular ballot without their IDs by signing a form, under penalty of perjury, affirming their identity.
Despite the stringency of this law, Virginia policymakers are looking to do away with the last provision that allows a voter to sign an affidavit.
The current system has many benefits for voters in Virginia. Voters who forget to bring identification to the polls can cast a regular ballot rather than needing to return home, gather their IDs, then return to the polls. Additionally, polling lines continue to move smoothly without having to stop at every voter without ID to have him or her complete a provisional ballot and the state enjoys lower costs by using fewer provisional ballots. Most importantly, in a state that rejects 72% of all provisional ballots cast, voters are not being disenfranchised for the simple mistake of leaving their purses or wallets at home.
The changes proposed in HB1560 are a solution without a problem. There is no outcry in Virginia over abuse of the current system. There are no reports of rampant illegal voting by affirmation. Even worse, the bill has no tangible benefits. It will not make elections any more accessible. It will not make voters or their votes any more secure. This bill only makes it more difficult for eligible Virginians to cast ballots that count on Election Day.
This bill is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, February 9 at 10:00 a.m. by the Senate Privileges and Elections Subcommittee on Campaign and Elections.