House lawmakers approve voter ID bill
Published: May 29, 2009
PROVIDENCE - House lawmakers have approved legislation that could make Rhode Island the ninth state to require voters to show a photo ID at the polls.
Supporters say the move could prevent voter fraud and strengthen the election process.
Critics think the law could disenfranchise voters who are old or poor and may be less likely to have drivers’ licenses or other forms of identification. It could also create longer Election Day lines.
The Providence Journal reports legislators approved the bill Thursday by a 47-24 vote. Credit cards, bus passes and library cards would be acceptable IDs until 2012, when photo IDs would be required.
A similar proposal has stalled in a Senate committee, raising questions about whether the measure has enough support.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Prepare now! Go get an ID. People prepare when they go to get a driver’s license. Prepare to vote!
Rumor has it: People who show up to vote with no ID Card will be automatically handed one. Instead of saying “ID CARD”, it will say “ID-IOT CARD!“ (Short for unprepared card)
Smitty….have a great day.
I lose? No, rather we all do when more and more onerous laws and rules are instituted. Each of you don’t get my point, and I’m not going to waste my time any further by arguing with people who just like to argue.
Smitty….you have evidently not worked the polls. The ONLY time a person is asked for an ID is when the paper work requires it…it will say “ID required”. Otherwise, we are not allowed to ask for the ID. I think you are afraid of change OR you just like to debate. BTW…you loose.
Oh smitty give me a break! Finding out where to vote is a no-brainer. You have to “announce your address”? You mean that is on the book right in front of you? I would bet that someone trying to vote illegally already KNOWS the name and address of the person whose vote they are using! Most things of importance require proof of who you are. Voting should be at the top of that list!!
If you have to show an I D to get a six pack whats wrong with showing an ID to Vote ?
We have too many illegals using other peoples ID every day to work or receive undeserved benefits they are worried too many illegals won’t get to vote for a raise in there welfare checks .
Bob Cumberland
It’s about time that showing an ID when voting is about to become law. OH YES….A few years back while I was working the polls, there was a man trying to vote who was listed at City Hall as being DEAD. If it was not for a picture ID this man had, he would not have been able to vote. He would have been considered to be breaking the law. Because of the ID, City Hall realized they had made an error. If in fact a person for whatever reason does not have an ID and goes to vote…this person would be able to vote on a provisional ballot. There are bond to be some delays the first time the ID is required…BUT…so what! If a person can not wait an extra 5 minutes to vote, than there is something very wrong.
No, I’m not a politician, nor am I someone who does not believe in obeying laws. The point of the whole matter is that there are checks and balances in the system right now. First, you have to know where to vote for your area. Second, you have to announce your street address, and then who you are. If there is any doubt, poll workers ask for your ID anyway. Someone just walking in off the street is going to have to guess, and then if they act suspicious, they’re asked for their ID.
Now, people who go and vote on their lunch hour, or when they get off work before going home—just about any time when they only have a few minutes to exercise their constitutional right to vote are going to either be delayed by the extra ID procedure AND THOSE WHO DON’T HAVE A PROPER ID to the point of not being able to wait.
I’m all for checking IDs in most cases, but the way the ID procedure is likely to be ordered to be done is going to be the thing that is going to require so much time that it isn’t funny—and that is why I’m not for this law.
I just read a previous comment about voter ID. Now, I too have to make a comment.
In 1982 my parents and I became American citizens, after coming here from the Azores.
By being sponsored by my uncle, my father’s brother. Living here for the required 5 years.
Obeying the laws, paying taxes and just being a good citizen.
Don’t get me wrong we didn’t like doing everything.
Just like you not a fan of paying taxes. Not a fan of standing at a line at the DMV. Nor of being on a diet. Being a small business owner and following all the regulations and paying all the extra taxes.
These things and others have to be done.
Showing an ID for the greatest privilege in this world today. To have a saying in the decision making process of our government.
To say that showing an ID or waiting in line (even if it is a little longer), is baloney or people (like myself) are idiots for favoring this tells me something.
One, those who are doing something wrong are afraid of laws.
Two, like the car behind you who can’t wait in traffic. Goes by illegally, crossing the double line.
Just to stop at the red light, 3 cars ahead.
What we have in this great country is a privilege not a right. The only free right is, air.
Some people are just full of hot air.
Smitty—that is such a cop out!
Everybody has some sort of ID with their address on it to prove that they are eligible to vote in the locale in which they are voting and if not, they should not be allowed to vote.
People should be required to show their ID to vote. It is the only way to prevent fraud.
How many illegal aliens voted in the last election? How many dead people?
Are you kidding? You must be a politician counting on fraudulent votes to return you to the trough.
If not, then why the objection?
Advertisement