|
SENATE BILL 1150 THREATENS VOTING RIGHTS
SB 1150, a bill to require proof of
identity to vote, will be heard in the Senate on Monday May 5. This bill
would place an unnecessary burden on voters that could result in some people
losing their right to vote. As a significant number of racial and ethnic
minority voters, voters with disabilities, rural and Native American voters,
the homeless, the elderly, and low income people do not have photo
identification nor the financial means to acquire it, the burden of this
requirement would fall disproportionately and unfairly upon them.
ID requirements build in too much discretion and uncertainty into the voting
process. Deciding whether a voter matches the photo in an ID card is a very
subjective process – one that is easily prone to error. In addition, if an
ID does not contain the voter’s current address or name, which is true of
countless Americans who move or marry, he or she would likely be turned away
from the polls. This bill would serve to distort election results by
removing countless eligible voters from the process.
While the cost of identification documents may seem negligible to some, it
represents a significant cost to many Americans. No citizen should have to
pay to vote.
SB 1150 would allow voters to use bank statements, government checks, or
paychecks but these other proof of identities would have these same issues
of discretion and raise other privacy concerns. Many argue that voter proof
of identification will curb voter fraud; however, there are no cases of
organized voter fraud in Oklahoma.
SB 1150 passed by a vote of 56-42. This vote was overwhelming down party
lines. When election reform is not joined by both parties, voters should not
have confidence in the bill. When record numbers of people are registering
to vote why should Oklahoma create obstacles for people to vote.
Please contact your senator and ask him or her to vote NO on SB 1150.
For more information on your elected official, visit
http://www.lsb.state.ok.us. |
