Tulsa World: House OKs voter identification measure

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House OKs voter identification measure

By Associated Press
Published: 4/14/2008 8:40 PM
Last Modified: 4/14/2008 8:40 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Legislation that would require Oklahoma voters to provide identification at the polls was approved Monday by the Oklahoma House despite opponentsµ claims that it would deprive some elderly and poor Oklahomans of their right to vote.

"This is another thing that keeps people from being part of government," said Rep. Jerry McPeak, D-Warner. "I think it's very arrogant, very thoughtless."

House members voted 56-42 to send the measure to the Senate for a vote after its author, Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, said it will help stop voting irregularities and restore the public's faith in the state's voting process.

The measure would require voters to provide a photo ID or some other form of current identification at Oklahoma polling places before they are allowed to vote.

An identification card, driver's license, passport or photocopy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government or tribal document that shows the voter's name and address would all qualify under the measure.

State election officials have warned that the ID requirement could slow the voting process and require additional precinct workers to keep the lines moving. A fiscal impact statement attached to the bill says it will cost $90,000 to implement in a statewide election.

Rep. Ed Cannaday, D-Porum, said the measure "is a smoke-screen bill" that diverts attention away from pressing needs that lawmakers are not addressing, such as improving state health care programs, roads and bridges, public schools and prisons.

"We're not even addressing these. Let's deal with something substantive here," Cannaday said.

Other opponents said the requirement will make it harder for some poor and elderly Oklahomans who are less likely to have current identification to participate in elections.

Rep. Ryan Kiesel, D-Seminole, said voter fraud is already illegal and that prosecutors will file cases against violators if the facts warrant.

"We're trying to create a solution where there's really not a problem," Kiesel said.

House members defeated two amendments to the bill before approving it, including one by Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, that would have allowed only photo IDs for personal identification.

A second by Kiesel would have authorized same-day voter registration in the state.

"This is an effort for us to bring more people to the polls," Kiesel said.

The measure is Senate Bill 1150. By Associated Press

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	Report Comment tb, Tulsa (4/14/2008 8:54:09 PM) I think this is a great idea. Most elderly persons have an Oklahoma ID card if they don't have a driver's license. I will be happy to show my ID if it will prevent voting irregularities. I certainly don't want someone voting in my place!
	Report Comment yeah, right (4/14/2008 9:05:30 PM) yeah, right, like that's really going to solve anything.
	Report Comment Lance, Tulsa (4/14/2008 9:09:02 PM) there has never been any report, ever, in this state of someone voting in someone else's place. this is a non-issue that will only result in fewer people voting. watch for a lawsuit when the first legal voter is turned away from the polls. in this day and age when we're trying to get more people to vote, we shouldn't be putting up road blocks.
	Report Comment rlg, BA (4/14/2008 9:18:04 PM) Hey Lance, thats not what Kathy Taylor said when she voted twice. They trotted out some person with the same name but a different spelling.If we had ID's that would not have happened.
	Report Comment haha, (4/14/2008 9:53:54 PM) hahaha, that's funny, not tru, but funny
	Report Comment James, Weatherford (4/14/2008 11:00:55 PM) I sincerely hope that someday our legislature will do what they are supposed to do FIRST -- fund education. Solving manufactured or non-existent problems like voter fraud or harassing abortion providers should at least wait until they have done their primary job. Fund the government agencies. Jeesh.
	Report Comment oldrusty, tulsa (4/15/2008 8:40:10 PM) Gasoline is over three dollars a gallon, and the price of food has gone up substantially , and what in the heck are these elected doing, playing tiddle-winks.They need to adjourn quick, before they are laughed out of office.

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