Despite arguments that a significant proposed change to the North Dakota voting process was not given enough attention by a House committee, the House on Tuesday passed an amendment that would require voters to show identification before casting a ballot. The amendment would require all voters to present a valid ID before they cast their ballot during a primary or general election. The ID does not need to include a photo. The amendment’s sponsor, Rep. Randy Boehning, R-Fargo, and other lawmakers are concerned about the current system that allows a voter to cast a ballot without proof of eligibility by signing an affidavit that says they are a North Dakota resident.
The state currently requires identification that includes a voter’s name, address and age. Voters can use a combination of any state issued identification, along with a utility bill or change of address verification to prove residency. ID’s currently accepted include: driver’s license, military IDs, passports, tribal government IDs and student IDs. North Dakota does not have voter registration.
The amendment does offer to purchase a photo ID for anyone that does not have a driver’s license and cannot afford one, but it is unclear how much that may cost the state.
Full Article: Voter ID amendment survives debate in North Dakota House | Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, North Dakota.