Proposed legislation to guard against identity fraud in the voter registration process may need some further tightening, members of a state House panel said Wednesday. The legislation would make it a felony to copy or otherwise reproduce a completed voter registration application. The change would protect the confidentiality of such information as the individual’s full date of birth and Social Security number, which could be used for fraudulent purposes. Violators would be subject to a fine of up to $2,000 or up to two years in jail or both on a first offense. Penalties would increase on subsequent violations.
State Rep. Jared Brossett, D-New Orleans, wondered whether the proposal was “too stringent.”
But others said the state elections division should look at not just the reproduction of the application.
State Rep. Greg Miller, R-Norco, asked about a person writing down information from the application that could be used in identity theft, or someone copying a form that is filled out but doesn’t have the individual’s signature.
Elections Commissioner Angie Rogers said other states have adopted legislation to try to prevent identify theft. She said her agency is reviewing what other states are doing.
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