Voter proof-of-citizenship bill killed

By Lynn Bartels
The Denver Post
Posted: 01/27/2011 01:00:00 AM MST
15 Comments

A Democrat-controlled Senate committee killed a measure that would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote, but the goal to weed out nonresidents isn't dead yet.

Among those who testified Wednesday on behalf of Senate Bill 18 were Secretary of State Scott Gessler and Wayne Williams, clerk and recorder in El Paso County. Both are Republicans who took office this month.

"We have specific examples of noncitizens registering to vote and attempting to register to vote," Gessler said in a statement afterward. "I think most will agree that we have vulnerability, and I'm open to working with opponents of the measure to improve the integrity of our voter rolls, while preserving access to the ballot for the citizens of this state."

The bill, by Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, and Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, was killed 3-2 on a party-line vote.

"I want to make it easier for people to vote, not harder," said Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, chairman of the State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

Opponents included Jessie Ulibarri, public policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado.

"The ACLU sees this as an unconstitutional poll tax," he said, pointing out there are costs to obtaining birth certificates and other records.

Ulibarri also told the committee that Arizona passed a similar law, which was ruled unconstitutional because it violates the national Voting Rights Act.

Holbert said he is going to sponsor a similar bill in the House but one based on Georgia's law, which he said has passed federal muster. That bill would involve the secretary of state "managing a database" after someone registers, but details will be released later.

That bill is likely to get a friendlier reception in the House, where Republicans have the majority.

http://www.gopusa.com/forum/discussions ... -colorado/