Dodd Condemns Voter ID Bill
MINORITIES
The Norwalk Hour
Jamie Hammon
Boston University Washington News Service
9-27-06
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 —Legislation that would require voters to present photo identification before casting a ballot is “flat out wrong,” Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) said Wednesday.
“It’s unacceptable, it’s un-American, it’s flat out wrong, and we are prepared to do anything necessary that would make sure this law does not pass in the U.S. Senate,” Dodd told reporters.
The Federal Election Integrity Act, which passed the House 228 to 196 last week and is now pending in the Senate, would require voters by 2010 to present a new form of government issued photo identification – called a “Real ID Card” – only obtained through proof of citizenship.
Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-N.Y.), who also appeared at the press conference, said it was a modern day poll tax in that the expected cost for the voter ID card could deter minorities, senior citizens, and disabled persons from voting.
“This is the right upon which all other rights depend,” Dodd said. “The right to vote and to have your vote counted.”
The cost has not yet been determined, and the bill’s proponents say that states could provide free voter IDs for low-income citizens.
Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), who voted for passage of the bill in the House, said states like Connecticut already have many of these same requirements in place.
“The bottom line for me is our election law says you have to be a citizen to vote, and proving that you are a citizen seems like a reasonable safeguard to ensure the law is followed,” Shays said in an emailed response to a query.
Dodd said that that the law is already strong enough when it comes to issues of fraud and the penalties that are included, and that passage of the bill would only disenfranchise minorities, low income, and elderly voters.
“This is a solution in search of a problem,” said Dodd. “There is not a single study anywhere that would indicate that people are showing up in person to vote with false identification.”
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