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Congressman Starting in 2008, the Voter
ID Act would require voters in all federal elections to present a
government-issued photo ID, with a current address, or mail in a copy to
receive their absentee ballot. By
2010, voters would be required to show proof of “Just two months ago, I
joined my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in celebrating the
renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, legislation which for the first
time broke down the obstacles that were disenfranchising millions of
Americans,” said Congressman “This legislation will disproportionately affect the very people who need their elected officials’ help the most - the poor, minorities, the elderly and students – those who are least likely to have or be able to afford a government issued photo ID with a current address. Countless voters could be turned away from the polls – a recent college graduate whose current address does not match up with his ID, a newly married woman whose maiden name still appears on the voter rolls, or a poor, elderly man who has lost his ID and cannot afford the renewal fee.” “In 2002, I voted for the Help America Vote Act, which contained voter fraud prevention measures. Even though the Republican Leadership has failed to fully fund this important law, HAVA is working. Instead of passing the Voter ID Act, Congress should be seeking new ways to encourage more citizens to vote. We should start by fully funding HAVA and passing H.R. 550, the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act, which would require voting machines to produce a voter-verified paper record of all votes.”
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