Voters’ rights advocates are asking congressional liberals to stymie state voter ID requirements, which they contend are part of a political effort to disenfranchise poor and minority voters, who tend to be Democrats.
Hilary O. Shelton, director of the NAACP’s Washington bureau, urged lawmakers to support a bill introduced last week that would prohibit poll workers from requiring photo identification. Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the legislation could prevent enforcement of legislation now under consideration in Pennsylvania and 26 other states. Mr. Shelton’s comments came during a hearing convened Monday by a contingent of congressional Democrats.
In Harrisburg, state legislators are wrangling over whether work IDs, college IDs and expired driver’s licenses should be among the kinds of identification accepted under the proposed law. Current law requires only first-time voters to show an identification card, firearms permit, utility bill, bank statement or paycheck showing name and address.
Sponsored by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, the legislation would require Pennsylvania voters to show a photo ID every time they cast a ballot.
Full Article: Voter ID legislation faces opposition in Congress.