Oklahoma Voter Identification Measure (2010)

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Contents

The Oklahoma Voter Identification Amendment, or State Question 746, will be on the 2010 ballot in Oklahoma as a legislatively-referred state statute.

The ballot measure proposes that voters should have to produce photo identification in order to vote.[1] If passed Oklahoma will join 22 other states that have already passed voter identification requirements.[2]

Ballot language

The short ballot summary that Oklahoma voters will see reads as follows:[3]

This measure amends statues relating to voting requirements. It requires that each person appearing to vote present a document proving their identity. The document must meet the following requirements. It must have the name and photograph of the voter. It must have been issued by the federal, state or tribal government. It must have an expiration date that is after the date of the election. No expiration date would be required on certain identity cards issued to person 65 years of age or older.
In lieu of such a document, voters could present voter identification cards issued by the County Election Board.
A person who cannot or does not present the required identification may sign a sworn statement and cast a provisional ballot. Swearing to a false statement would be a felony.
These proof of identity requirements also apply to in-person absentee voting. If adopted by the people, the measure would become effective July 1, 2011

Background

In 2008 the House of Representatives passed the voter ID legislation. The bill was approved 55-42 along party lines in the House. But the bill failed to pass in the Senate.[2]

However, in March 2009 the Senate approved voter identification legislation, requiring that voter present "proof of identity" before voting.[4]

Republicans argued that the bill could help restore the "public's faith in the state's voting process," but Democrats said otherwise, "it would disenfranchise voters who commonly do not have IDs."

Support

Sen. John Ford, Rep. Dan Sullivan and others argue that the measure brings no inconvenience to voters and is in no way "too much to ask." "Many daily activities require valid identification, such as writing a check, boarding a plane or even getting a library card in some states," said Ford. "When voters get the opportunity to decide who will run our state and our nation and what laws will govern our citizens, it is prudent to verify their identification at the polls.”[4]

Despite an April 2009 veto by the Governor, supporters quickly passed Senate Bill 692, sending the question to the 2010 ballot. [5] House Speaker Chris Benge emphasized that the voter identification is "critical to maintaining the integrity of our democracy."

"We addressed several Democratic concerns by allowing the free voter ID card as an eligible form of identification, but obviously Gov. Henry is more interested in political posturing than protecting our voting process," said Rep. Sue Tibbs of SB 692. "The House and Senate have spoken, now the governor has spoken. We believe it is time to allow the people of Oklahoma to have their say."[6]

Opposition

Rep. Al Lindley compared the requirement to an illegal poll tax because some of the IDs cost money to obtain, in 2008.[2]

On April 8,2009 Gov. Brad Henry vetoed the measure, citing that the proposed measure would have created “an unnecessary impediment” to voting and was in conflict with the Oklahoma Constitution. More specifically the governor said that the bill would hinder minorities, the elderly and the poor from voting. “The right to vote is one of our most precious freedoms, guaranteed to all U.S. citizens regardless of their race, gender, religion, income level or social status, and policy makers must be especially careful when tinkering with this fundamental right,” Henry said.

The League of Women Voters and the American Association of Retired People also oppose the ballot measure. They argue that approximately 21 million registered voters across the United States and 78,000 Oklahomans do not have the required identification and could be negatively affected by voter ID bills.[7]

Valid proof of identity

According to the bill passed by the Senate, "proof of identity" is a document that includes: voter’s name, a picture of the voter, and is issued by the United States, the State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized Indian Tribe or Nation. However, should an individual not have any of the previously mentioned forms of identification, a county issued Voter ID card is valid.[4]

Cost of implementation

According to State Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman implementing the proposed measure will cost approximately $90,000 per election. The cost includes officials for more than 1,000 precincts to check voter's photo IDs.[2]

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Tulsa World,"Issues kicked over to voters," May 4,2009
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 NewsOK,"Oklahoma House passes voter identification bill in party-line vote," March 10,2008
  3. ↑ Oklahoma Secretary of State, "Proposed State Questions"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Oklahoma Senate,"SENATE SENDS VOTER ID TO HOUSE," March 10,2009
  5. ↑ About.com:Oklahoma City,"Voter ID to be Decided by People," April 14,2009
  6. ↑ Oklahoma House of Representatives,"People to Decide Voter ID, Not Governor," April 8,2009
  7. ↑ Associated Press,"Oklahoma: Henry vetoes voter identification bill," April 9,2009
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