State legislators filed two proposed constitutional amendments Wednesday that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls. During the 2013 regular session, lawmakers approved legislation requiring photo ID at the polls and overrode a veto by then-Gov. Mike Beebe. But the law, Act 595, was struck down last year by the Arkansas Supreme Court, which said it violated the state constitution by imposing qualifications for voters that went beyond those set forth in the constitution.
Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, the sponsor of Act 595, filed a proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday that would, if referred to the ballot and approved by voters, write a photo ID requirement into the constitution. On the same day, Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, filed a similar proposal.
King and Lowery said they believe requiring photo ID at the polls is a reasonable precaution against fraud. “It its not an egregious infringement. People are required to submit and show photo ID for any number of activities — boarding a plane, on and on,” Lowery said.
Full Article: Proposed constitutional amendments to require voter ID filed | Arkansas News.