Voter ID debate begins
Lawmakers began debate Feb. 17 on a bill that would require voter identification in Nebraska.
LB111, as introduced by O’Neill Sen. Tyson Larson, would require voters to provide a government-issued photographic identification before voting. Under the bill, either a driver’s license or state ID card issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be required.
If a voter indicates that he or she is indigent, the DMV would offer a state identification card at no cost for purposes of voting under the Election Act.
Voters casting a ballot in elections held by mail or who vote early would not be required to provide a photo ID unless it was their first time voting. A voter who does not present a valid ID at the polls would be permitted to cast a provisional ballot.
Larson said Nebraskans overwhelmingly support requiring ID to vote as a means of safeguarding the electoral process.
“I introduced this legislation in order to further protect the integrity and reliability of our elections,” he said, adding that the bill’s provisions would not place an undue burden on voters.
Larson said 98 percent of Nebraska registered voters already possess a driver’s license or state ID card.
A pending Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee amendment would allow:
• use of an official photo ID issued by an Indian tribe when voting;
• use of a voter registration identification card when voting; and
• issuance of a photo ID for use in voting regardless of income.
Gretna Sen. John Murante, chairperson of the committee, said the amendment should alleviate concerns that LB111 would be burdensome for Nebraska voters.
“At the end of the day, I genuinely do not believe that a single voter will be turned away from the polls,” Murante said, adding that the bill also would improve Nebraskans’ perception of the electoral process.
“We need to have systems of government that people believe work,” he said. “And there is a lack of confidence in the electoral system that we have now.”
Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln opposed the bill, saying the state needs more than a perception of voter fraud in order to place additional restrictions on the constitutional right to vote.
“When there is a fundamental, constitutional right—in order to infringe upon that right—the state must have a compelling interest,” Morfeld said.
Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers offered a motion to bracket LB111 until April 15, saying the bill’s primary purpose is to deny black people the right to vote.
“There is no right more treasured in a democracy than the right to vote,” he said.
The Legislature adjourned for the day before taking any action on the bill. Several amendments are pending.
