The chief critic of a proposal to require voters to have photo IDs is calling for an investigation into the ballot habits of Congressman and Republican Senate hopeful Todd Akin.
The Post-Dispatch reported on Tuesday that Akin owns a home in Wildwood, but has voted in the last 10 elections in Town and Country, where he grew up and raised his family.
State Rep. Stacey Newman, D-Richmond Heights, said the confusion over Akin’s residency and voting undermines the need for photo ID legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly this year.
“The proposed voter ID requirements would not stop the type of fraud allegedly committed by Akin,” Newsman said in a statement Wednesday. “It would only address voter impersonation at the polling place, which has never been reported in Missouri.”
State lawmakers have approved a 2012 ballot question that would ask voters to approve a photo ID requirement at future elections. Opponents such as Newman have asked the governor to veto a related piece of enabling legislation.
In Washington, Akin has been a vocal proponent of strengthening voter ID requirements. In a 2002 Op-Ed, he wrote, “We must restore America’s confidence in our elections by making sure they are conducted in a fair and lawful manner.”
Full Article: Foe of voter ID law calls for Akin investigation.