New voter identification requirements proposed

First-time voters would no longer be allowed to present certain forms of identification when registering by mail under a bill heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan. 23.

Currently a first-time voter registering by mail can use several forms of identification including utility bills and bank statements. Under LB662, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, these no longer would be considered valid forms of identification. Krist said documents like utility bills and bank statements are more easily forged than others.

“This seeks to increase the integrity of the election process by addressing two areas that are at a higher risk for potential fraud,” he said.

Various forms of government identification documents from federal, state and local agencies containing the applicant’s name and address would still be permitted under the bill.

Voters who have moved from their original precinct but attempt to vote at that same precinct also would be required to show a current government identification document that contains a photograph or image of the voter.

Jefferson County Election Commissioner Sandra Stelling supported the bill, saying it would help workers in smaller counties.

“In small villages, when you send a statement it usually asks for a [post office] box number,” she said. “This would help because the driver’s license would actually state the voter’s physical address. It would definitely help our poll workers because they’d only have to look for one form of ID.”

Nebraskans for Civic Reform Executive Director Adam Morfeld opposed the measure, saying it would disproportionately affect younger, rural and low-income voters.

“When restricting fundamental rights, there should be a compelling state interest with a clearly identifiable problem,” he said. “We should instead focus on modernizing election and voter registration processes.”

Sherry Miller, League of Women Voters Nebraska president, also opposed the bill.

“The voters most likely to be impacted are college students, senior citizens who no longer drive, as well as low-income adults,” she said. “We just don’t have a problem that needs to be addressed.”

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.