Yet another Republican-controlled state is looking to impose a voter ID law just in time for the 2016 elections. GOP state lawmakers in Nevada are readying ID bills for early next year, Secretary of State-Elect Barbara Cegavske told msnbc in an interview. Cegavske said she knew of two separate bills that might end up being merged together. “They’re writing them now,” said Cegavske, a Republican and a supporter of voter ID. “It just depends on how soon they get them in.” Last week, Republicans took full control of state government for the first time since 1929, meaning a voter ID bill would likely have a strong chance of passing. Governor Brian Sandoval has said in the past he supports voter ID. The GOP takeover also has raised fears of a broader rightward shift for the state, on everything from immigration to Stand Your Ground laws.
Although Nevada’s session doesn’t begin until February, Cegavske said the bills could appear on a “placeholder” list of upcoming measures as early as next month, indicating their high priority for Republican lawmakers.
A voter ID proposal from the outgoing secretary of state, Democrat Ross Miller, died in the legislature last year. It would have allowed voters to have their photos taken at the polls if they lacked ID. This year, Sharron Angle, the Republican tea party favorite who challenged Sen. Harry Reid for his Senate seat in 2010, led an effort to impose a voter ID requirement through a ballot initiative, but failed to gather enough signatures.
Full Article: After takeover, Nevada GOPers ready voter ID | MSNBC.