Posts tagged voter id
Shortest victory for civil liberties
4.8.09
Press Release
April 8, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY – The ACLU of Oklahoma applauds Governor Brad Henry for striking down a Voter ID bill that could have cost many eligible Oklahomans the right to vote. Senate Bill 4 would have required Oklahoma voters to provide proof of identity in order to vote. If voters did not show proof of identity, they would be required to vote by provisional ballot. Over 80 percent of provisional ballots were rejected in the last general election. Minutes after Henry vetoed SB 4, the Republican-controlled House passed SB 692 – a similar bill that would bypass the governor and go to a vote of the people in 2010.
“We are dealing with major budget shortfalls, high unemployment, and unaffordable health care, yet the legislature wants to waste time to debate an issue that is not a problem. There is not evidence of in-person voter fraud in Oklahoma,” said Tamya Cox, ACLU of Oklahoma Legislative Counsel. “We expect the legislature to deal with real, tangible problems such as inadequate space in our jails, and our teachers being underpaid – not fantasy issues.”
The League of Women Voters, AARP, NAACP, and other civic organizations oppose all Voter ID measures.
“The right to vote More >
New Hurdles for Oklahoma Voters Passes Committee
2.5.09
Press Release
February 5, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY – On Wednesday, HB 1037 passed in the House Rules Committee with an 8-4 vote. All Democrats voted no on this bill, and all Republicans voted yes.
The ACLU of Oklahoma, which is non-partisan, is interested in HB 1037 because if the bill passes in the house, many Oklahoma voters will be disenfranchised.
“When election reform is not joined by both parties, voters should not have confidence in the bill,” said ACLU of Oklahoma Legislative Counsel Tamya Cox. “Why would we create unnecessary obstacles for people to vote when the goal is to increase voter participation?”
During the committee meeting, Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, stated that he would not mind having low Democratic turnout due to the photo ID requirements.
“The ACLU is distressed about the impact this bill will have on all voters, not just those of one particular party,” said Cox. “Because state legislators represent their entire district and not just those constituents of the same party, legislators should be concerned with the impact as well.”
HB 1037 will now be placed on the General Order and brought up for a third reading for the full body of the House.
Requiring proof of identity to vote will result More >
