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Issues
State Voting Laws
Passing Voter Identification
Voter identification has been a hot topic in state legislatures over the past decade. Since 2001, more than 700 bills have been introduced in 46 states. A dozen states have passed major legislation during this period.
Only eight states require a photo ID when voting. Nineteen others require identification, but not a photo. These states total only 27, leaving 23 states with no voter identification requirement.
The ACLU, among others, has filed suit in a number of states, challenging the legality of requiring identification. In October 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to suspend Arizona’s requirements (ID, but no photo); but, the Missouri Supreme Court struck down the state’s photo requirement. That is currently being appealed.
Considering that one has to have a photo ID to cash a check, get a hunting license in some states, board an airplane, etc., it is unconscionable how easy it is for ineligible voters to cast a ballot, and sometimes more than one ballot. The NFRW Legislative Committee believes that if we are to keep our elections fair, voter ID (preferably a photo ID) legislation should be passed in all 50 states. We urge NFRW members in states without these laws to start a campaign now to get a law passed in your state and to have it added as an amendment to your state constitution so that it cannot be easily repealed by the state legislature at a future date.For states with Democrat majorities in their legislatures, the citizen petition is the best way to address this issue. Each state has different laws for getting questions on their ballots, so members should contact their state attorney general or secretary of state for instructions.
Please see the map below to learn the status of your state, and contact NFRW Legislative Chair Sara Jo Odom at sjodom1@cox.net for more information.
Sample Materials
Sample Ballot Text
States such as Oklahoma have had the issue of Voter ID on their ballots. If states won’t pass a bill in their legislatures, then the people should demand it. Here is the wording of the Oklahoma question:“This measure amends statutes relating to voter requirements. It requires that each person appearing to vote present a document proving their identity. The document must meet the following requirements. It must have the name and photograph of the voter. It must have been issued by the federal, state or tribal government. It must have an expiration date that is after the date of the election. No expiration date would be required on certain identity cards issued to persons 65 years of age or older.
“In lieu of such a document, voters could present voter identification cards issued by the County Election Board.
“A person who cannot or does not present the required identification may sign a sworn statement and cast a provisional ballot. Swearing to a false statement would be a felony.
“These proof of identity requirements also apply to in-person absentee voting. If adopted by the people, the measure would become effective July 1, 2011.”
Source: North Carolina FRW
Source: North Carolina FRW
How Does Your State Measure Up?States with Voter Photo ID Law
AL | FL | GA | HI | ID | IN | KS | LA | MI | MS | SC | SD | TN | TX | WI
States with Voter ID Law
AK | AR | AZ | CO | CT | DE | KY | MN | MO | MT | ND | OH | OK | RI | UT | VA | WA
Eliminating Same-Day Voter Registration
Another area that needs to be addressed is same-day voter registration, which is legal in several states. There are thousands of invalid votes cast every election in states that allow people to register and vote on the same day. This is something that every citizen should fight to change.
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