A Democratic leader abstains from the party-line vote to deny Republicans a tie.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Senate Democrats killed a bill Tuesday that would have required voters to show identification at the polls.

Critics of the bill said there is no evidence of voter fraud in Oklahoma.

"If you disenfranchise poor, minority and elderly voters, you can hurt Democrats," Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, said. "That is all this is about."

Senate Bill 1150 received a 24-23 vote. A bill needs 25 votes to pass in the Senate, which has 24 Democrats and 24 Republicans.

Morgan originally voted for House amendments to the bill, which advanced it to another vote. However, he abstained on the bill itself. Had Morgan voted against it, the result would have been a Senate tie, which could have been broken by Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a Democrat.

"It was apparent to me the Republican leadership was attempting to play games, force a tie and bring the lieutenant governor in on another issue," Morgan said.

"I am not in favor of those games, but I certainly know how to play. I will use any procedural method within the rules to accomplish a good result for the people of Oklahoma."

The measure's author, Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, held the bill on a motion to reconsider the vote by which it failed. He has three legislative days to bring the bill back up.

Ford said he is disappointed that the bill failed, espe cially as the vote was along party lines.

"Oklahoma Democrats and Republicans want fair and honest elections," he said. "I don't know why it failed on a partisan basis, but it is not right."

Ford said he would keep working behind the scenes to secure the measure's passage.

Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore, said Ford is trying to fix something that is not broken.

The measure would have required a voter to present one of the following forms of identification: a valid driver's license, a passport, a state identification card, a copy of a current utility bill, a bank statement, a government check, a paycheck or another governmental or tribal document that shows the voter's name and address.

Sen. James A. Williamson, R-Tulsa, said those were broad requirements.

"I can't believe anyone could not produce at least one form," he said.

Many of his constituents believe that the integrity of the ballot process needs to be protected, he said.

Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, said: "Voter identification has always been a Republican thing. It is as much as a 3 percent advantage.

"We decided to draw the line. We need to be on real issues. Voter identification and English as the official language are not one of them."

Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said Senate Democrats appeared intent on turning the Senate back into a graveyard for good legislation.

Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com