The Republican-controlled House on Thursday approved a voter identification bill, despite criticism from Democrats that the measure would suppress voter turnout among minorities, the elderly and the disabled. The bill by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate would make several changes to Iowa’s elections system, though most attention has been on a requirement that voters show approved ID at the polls. The measure is opposed by advocates for easier voting requirements such as the League of Women Voters of Iowa and elections officials including the Iowa State Association of County Auditors. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 34 states had laws in 2016 requesting or requiring voters to show identification at the polls.
… There are about 2 million active, registered voters in Iowa. About 1.6 million, or 79 percent, of that group voted in the 2016 election, according to data available through the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency. The Secretary of State said was only informed of 10 potentially improper votes in 2016, according to public documents disclosed in an Associated Press open records request.
Republicans used a rare procedural move to end debate and force a vote on the bill. The majority party recently used the same strategy to conclude debate on legislation that eliminates most collective bargaining rights for public workers.
Lawmakers voted 59-40 along party lines for the bill. One Democrat said she voted by accident for the bill, and had requested a change in the chamber’s records.
Full Article: Iowa House GOP passes voter ID bill, sends to Senate | McClatchy DC.