Some members of the West Virginia House of Delegates want to tighten voter verification laws. Opponents, however, are concerned that this will add unnecessary burden to the process.
To prove their voting eligibility, voters are already required by state law to present some form of identification at the polls. House Bill 3016 would require that it be a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or resident identification card.
The bill would also require state IDs to include the word “non-citizen” to indicate that a resident is not a US citizen. Del. Erica Moore, R-Roane, sponsored the bill, which was discussed by members of the House Judiciary Committee on Friday morning.
Proponents of the bill argue that it could reduce voter fraud and that obtaining qualifying IDs in the state is already a straightforward process. That included Republican Del. Rick Hillenbrand of Hampshire.
During the committee meeting, Hillenbrand stated that there are additional options for identification based on the bill and testimony presented.
However, opponents of the bill, such as Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, are concerned that verifying a resident’s citizenship status between the secretary of state’s office and the Department of Motor Vehicles may be a technically flawed process.
Hansen also expressed concern that the bill would place an undue burden on residents who already struggle to obtain or renew forms of identification.
“I am concerned about elderly people who no longer drive and do not have a valid passport,” he told West Virginia Public Broadcasting following the meeting. “They’re going to have to travel from a senior living facility to the county clerk’s office to get a new voter ID card with a photo, and that’s not really practical for a lot of our elderly voters.”
Hansen expressed concern that the bill is part of a larger effort to restrict some lawmakers’ voting rights.
“The Republican supermajority is pushing a number of bills that make it harder for people to register to vote, harder for people to actually vote, and harder for legally cast votes to be counted,” says Hansen.
“I’m not sure why they’re doing this. I believe that one of the most important aspects of America is the preservation of people’s right to vote.
Julie Archer is the deputy director of the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, which advocates and lobbies for progressive policies in areas such as voting rights, environmental protection, and healthcare. Archer attended Friday’s committee meeting and expressed concern that the bill’s provisions could disenfranchise voters.
“We are very concerned about the number of eligible voters who would be disenfranchised, and the barriers it would create, especially for those who lack the necessary documentation for photo IDs,” Archer wrote in a message to West Virginia Public Broadcasting following the meeting.
Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, said he wants to revise the bill’s language to ensure that it only applies to those who are ineligible to vote and does not overly restrict those who are simply not registered to vote.
“In my opinion, I think we need to add some clarifying language that doesn’t include non-registered voters, but only those who are prohibited from voting,” Holstein stated during the committee meeting on Friday. “I think that’s the intent of the legislation.”
Members of the committee agreed to table the bill until Monday for further review and potential amendments.
