Stricter voter identification laws were described Wednesday night as both a way to ensure the integrity of elections is upheld and a means to erect barriers for vulnerable and minority voters. But in the end, Republicans who sponsored and supported the bills making voter identification laws more stringent, won the day, approving the main bill in the package on mostly party line votes of 57-50. Five Republicans joined all the Democrats in opposing the bill. “This protects the integrity of every legal citizens’ right to vote and to make sure the fraudulent votes aren’t cast,” said state Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland. “It seems to be a common sense requirement.”
State Rep. Lisa Lyons, R-Alto, the sponsor of the bill said in every day life, people have to show their identification for the simplest of tasks and they should do the same for voting. … Democrats, though, said the bill will disenfranchise minorities, the disabled, homeless people and other vulnerable citizens, who will most likely be unable to vote if the law passes.
“This is going to cause confusion. There are going to be arguments and long lines are going to get even longer, but I guess that’s the point,” said state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor. “If we pass this bill and sign it into law, there will be properly registered voters expecting to vote who will not be able to.”
He noted that of the more than 18,000 people who voted without photo identification in November, that 39% lived in Wayne County, including 30% of Detroit residents. “The practical effect of these bills are obvious,” Irwin said.
Full Article: Stricter voter identification law passes House.