Lawmakers debate voter i-d requirement
by
Josh Egbert
Story Created:
Feb 21, 2012 at 5:56 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 21, 2012 at 6:43 PM CDT
It was a big day in Lincoln as senators look ahead to the election season, but they're not talking about who's on the ballot. They're talking about requiring voters to show I-D at the polls.
But as News 5's Josh Egbert reports, lawmakers weren't the only one's with an opinion. Dozens took to the capitol in protest.
They came to urge senators to oppose LB 239
"Voter impersonation is not a problem in the state of Nebraska. Both the Secretary of State and the introducer of this bill, State Senator Charlie Janssen admitted this in committee," said Adam Morfeld, Nebraskans for Civic Reform.
LB 239, a bill introduced last session by Sen. Charlie Janssen, would require the presentation of government-issued photographic identification to vote in elections.
"We're talking about the integrity of our elections. We want to make sure when someone shows up to vote it's actually the right person that's there voting," said Janssen.
The Nebraska Tea Party was at the capitol supporting the measure.
"We believe that anytime there's even a possibility of a voter fraud, where you have people voting that are not who they say the are, they disenfranchise those that have a legal right to participate in voting," said Mark Gill, NE Tea Party Patriots.
While several other groups, including the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, showed opposition to the bill.
"We're talking longer lines at the polling places and many more, many more provisional ballots, we're talking needless government regulations when needless government regulations are in general very unpopular," said Linda Duckworth, League of Women Voters of Nebraska.
The lobby day coincided with a second lobby day held in conjunction with the League of Women Voters, where more than 100 Nebraskans were expected to oppose the bill.
"And here it is taking up time and attention that could be used for real issues," Duckworth said.
While Senator Janssen says voter fraud isn't a major issue in the state, he'd like to tackle the issue before it does become a problem.
"It makes no sense when we're talking about, in some cases our national security, we're voting for a commander in chief, state legislators, people who make big decisions on how much we're taxed," said Janssen.
As of right now there are 13 amendments to this bill. A dozen more are being proposed. The bill is expected to be heard before committee on Friday.
Also in Lincoln Tuesday lawmakers began working on the state's version of health insurance reform.
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