Georgia Logothetis at Daily Kos writes how state lawmakers are “Using Election Reform to Decrease Turnout,” including laws to tighten requirements for proof of identity and citizenship before voting, reduce early voting periods, and eliminate same-day registration. Just this past week, more states have adopted such reforms that may ultimately block the vote.
The Alabama legislature sent photo voter ID bill HB 19 to the governor, who has until the end of the week to sign it into law; North Carolina‘s House adopted voter ID bill, H 351, which is expected to pass the Senate; and Ohio voter ID bill, H 159 is scheduled for a hearing by the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Grant Hearing Room.
Like many proposed voter ID laws, these bills require voters to present a range of valid, government-issued, photo ID before casting a ballot and include a “free” voter ID option for qualified voters.
The fate of voter ID in two more states remains in question. Today, the Maine Senate rejected voter ID bill, H 176, in a 19-16 vote. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon made headlines today as the Associated Press questioned if he would veto a voter ID bill that includes an early voting provision. Nixon denounced voter ID while he was campaigning for governor, but it is unclear whether he would ultimately disapprove of the bill.
Early voting and same-day registration is being challenged in Tennessee and Maine. Last week, Tennessee enacted SB 923/Chapter No. 381, which shortens the early voting period by two days and on Friday, Maine’s legislature voted to end the state’s Election Day registration policy after a bitterly partisan debate.
“We are going to do everything we can to restore voter rights for Maine people and are exploring every option, including legal options,” said Alysia Melnick of the Maine Civil Liberties Union in a Portland Press Herald report.
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