League (of Women Voters) Denounces Passage of Voter ID Legislation [View All]

[TexasLawyer]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
September 21, 2006 Maggie Duncan
202-263-1332
[e-mail]

League Denounces Passage of Voter ID Legislation
H.R. 4844 is a Means to Discriminate Against Voters

Washington, D.C. – National League President Mary G. Wilson today strongly denounced yesterday’s House passage of the so-called “Federal Election Integrity Act” (H.R. 4844). The legislation requires eligible citizens to present government-issued, current and valid photo identification at the polling place in 2008 and proof of citizenship by 2010.

“This is a truly sad day for our nation. The House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation that masquerades as protection against voter identity fraud. In reality, this bill is a means to discriminate against legal, eligible voters,” said Wilson.

“Any proposal that restricts voter registration or raises barriers to voting is a fear-based approach instead of a fact-based solution,” Wilson stated.

“Some would have you believe that this legislation cures voter identity fraud,” continued Wilson. “But there remains a lack of evidence of instances in which voters misrepresent their identity at the polls.”

“It sounds good to stand on the floor of Congress and demand equality and fairness in elections, but when one takes a closer look behind the political smokescreen, it is clear that this bill’s restrictions will disproportionately impact those who are least likely to have a current photo ID: the elderly, young people, people of color, rural voters and others,” said Wilson.

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