Laws by State[edit] State Date Type of Law Notes Alabama Photo ID [34] Law tightened in 2011 to require photo ID as of 2014[35][36] But still has not obtained federal preclearance[37] In 2013, Attorney General Strange believes that the Photo ID law can now be implemented in 2014 due to the Supreme Court case of Shelby County v. Holder.[38] Alaska Photo ID Rep. Bob Lynn drafting a bill to implement Photo ID law as of December 2012[39] Arizona Non-photographic forms of ID are accepted at polling places as of 2013[40] Arkansas 2014 Photo ID Photo ID bill passed by lawmakers in 2013, and survived a veto by the Governor. On May 2, 2014, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox ruled the Photo ID bill unconstitutional, but stayed his ruling pending an appeal.[41] California In most cases, California voters are not required to show identification before they cast ballots.[42] Colorado Non-photographic forms of ID allowed at polling places as of 2013.[43] Connecticut Photo ID In 2013, the Governor signed a Photo ID bill into law. Several lawsuits are currently delaying implementation.[44] Delaware Non-photographic forms of ID allowed at polling places as of 2013.[45] Florida Photo ID Photo ID required when voting in person.[46] Georgia 2006 Photo ID Existing law tightened in 2005 to require a photo ID; In 2006, passed a law providing for the issuance of voter ID cards at no cost to registered voters who do not have a drivers license or state-issued ID card. Photo ID was required to vote in the 2012 elections.[47] Hawaii 1978 Photo ID Photo ID required when voting in person.[48][49] Idaho Voters may sign a Personal Identification Affidavit if they do not possess a Photo ID at the polls.[50] Illinois Republican Senators authoring a bill for Photo ID.[51] Indiana 2005 Photo ID Photo ID required when voting in person.[52] Iowa Photo ID Iowa Senate did not pass a Photo ID bill.[53] Kansas 2011 Photo ID Photo ID required for in person voting, registration requires proof of citizenship, i.e., passport, birth certificate.[54] Kentucky A citizen may vote if they have Photo ID, or if a precinct officer can vouch for the voter.[55] Louisiana Voters may use non-photographic identification at the polling place.[56] Maine No ID needed at polling place if registered to vote at least 1 day prior to election.[57] Maryland Photo ID Republicans sponsored a House Bill requiring Photo ID in 2013.[58] Massachusetts Non-photographic ID is accepted at polling stations.[59] Michigan Passed in 1996, but ruled invalid until a State Supreme Court ruling in 2007. Voters are requested to show photo ID or sign a statement saying they do not have valid ID in their possession at the time. Either way, the voter will not be turned away.[60] Minnesota Non-photographic ID is accepted at polling stations.[61] Mississippi Photo ID Governor signed Photo ID bill into law in 2012. The bill will now be required to go through Pre-Clearance check from the federal government.[62] Voting Rights Act Ruling in 2013 clears the way for Mississippi to enact new Photo ID requirement in 2014.[63] Missouri Photo ID In 2006, the existing law was tightened to require photo ID. In 2006, State Supreme Court blocks law. In 2013, State House passes Voter ID law, needs to be approved by State Senate, and voters in November 2014 elections.[64] Montana Montana Voter ID Bill killed in 2013.[65] Nebraska Photo ID Lawmakers are revisiting a Photo ID bill in 2013.[66] Nevada Photo ID Secretary of State sponsors a bill for Photo ID in 2012.[67] New Hampshire Photo ID NH Senate working on a Photo ID bill in 2013.[68] New Jersey Non-photographic forms of ID are accepted at the polls.[69] New Mexico Law Repealed In 2008, the existing voter ID law was relaxed, and now allows a voter to satisfy the ID requirement by stating his/her name, address as registered, and year of birth. New York Non-photographic ID accepted at polling stations[70] North Carolina Photo ID In 2013, the state House passed a bill that requires voters to show a photo ID when they go to the polls by 2016.[71] North Dakota ND Senate passes bill that would require Photo identification OR a person with Photo ID to vouch for a voter without ID.[72] Oklahoma Photo ID Oklahoma voters approved a voter Photo ID proposal placed on the ballot by the Legislature. The only non-photo form of ID accepted at the polls is the voters registration card.[73] Ohio Non-photographic forms of ID are accepted at polling stations.[74] With strong Republican majorities in Ohio House and Senate, the Photo ID bill is expected to be revisited.[75] Oregon Mail Ballots Only Oregon has no polling stations. Ballots are mailed in. Non-photographic forms of ID are accepted for voting registration. Information required on voting ballots, such as Last 4 SSN, or Drivers License Number, could not be referenced.[76] Pennsylvania Photo ID Law struck down by Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard L. McGinley on January 17, 2014 as violative of the constitutional rights of state voters after first full evidentiary trial since Shelby v Holder. The law was found, by preponderance of evidence, to place undue burden on hundreds of thousands of already registered voters due to a lack of infrastructure and state support for obtaining required IDs.[20][77] Rhode Island 2014 Photo ID RI requires Photo ID at the polls in 2014.[78] South Carolina 2013 Photo ID Law tightened in 2011.[35] Justice Department rejected South Carolinas law as placing an undue burden disproportionately on minority voters.[18] On October 10, 2012 the US District Court uphold South Carolina Voter ID law though the law wont take effect till 2013.[79][80] In March 2013, all voters were required to show Photo ID when voting at the primaries.[81] South Dakota If a voter does not possess a photo ID at the polling place, then the voter may complete an affidavit of personal identification.[82] Tennessee 2011 Photo ID Law tightened in 2011.[35] Tennessee voters were required to show Photo ID during the 2012 elections.[83] Texas Photo ID Law tightened in 2011.[35] Justice Department rejected the Texas law as placing an undue burden disproportionately on minority voters.[84] The 2013 Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder struck down the Justice Departments ability to reject the Texas law.[85] On October 9, 2014, a US District Judge struck down the law.[86] On October 14, a panel for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a preliminary injunction against the ruling of the district court, which was confirmed 6-3 by the Supreme Court of the United States on October 18. Therefore the state will implement this law for the 2014 elections.[87] Utah Non-photographic forms of ID are accepted at polling stations.[88] Vermont No ID required to vote at polling stations.[89] Virginia Photo ID Lawmakers pass Voter ID bill in 2010, Governor implements it in a way that allows non-photo ID. After 2012 election, legislature passes new law stipulating that non-photo IDs cannot be used. Governor signs Photo ID requirement into law in 2013. Law would have needed to pass pre-clearance by the US Department of Justice under the 1965 Voting Rights Act (certain states and jurisdictions, mostly in the southern states were required to wait for pre-clearance before changing voting laws ).[90] Supreme Court Voting Rights Act ruling on June 26 removes section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, clearing the way for Virginia to enact the new Photo ID requirement in 2014.[91] Washington Mail Ballots Only Washington has no polling stations. Ballots are mailed in.[92] West Virginia Photo ID Republicans are preparing a Photo ID bill in 2013.[93] Wisconsin Photo ID Following two 2012 rulings by Dane County circuit judges that blocked implementation of the 2011 Wisconsin Act 23 law requiring voter id, on July 31, 2014 the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the law.[94] On September 12 the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the law to be put into effect just 54 days before the 2014 elections, overturning a previous ruling in federal court.[95] On October 9, 2014, the the state was again barred from implementing the voter id law for 2014 by the US Supreme court.[96] Wyoming No ID needed at polling stations.[97] See also[edit]
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 13:37:22 +0000
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