Thread: Arkansas governor vetoes voter ID bill

Arkansas governor vetoes voter ID bill

LITTLE ROCK, Ark | Mon Mar 25, 2013 4:26pm EDT

(Reuters) - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, a Democrat, on Monday vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot, the governor's office said.

Supporters of the proposal said they plan to seek a vote to override Beebe's veto, which would require only a simple majority in the Republican-dominated state legislature.

(Reporting By Suzi Parker. Editing by Corrie MacLaggan)

Arkansas governor vetoes voter ID bill | Reuters

ARKANSAS HOUSE VOTES TO OVERRIDE VETO OF VOTER ID BILL



1 Apr 2013, 2:11

(Reuters) - The Republican-controlled Arkansas House of Representatives voted on Monday to override a veto by the state's Democratic governor of a bill that would require voters to show photo identification.

Representatives voted 52-45 to override Governor Mike Beebe's veto, joining the state Senate, which had voted on March 27 to override the veto.

In Arkansas, lawmakers can override a veto by a simple majority in each chamber. This year, state lawmakers have overridden vetoes of two bills that restrict abortion.

Arkansas will join nearly three dozen U.S. states that have voter ID measures, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Legal challenges to voter ID laws are pending in several U.S. states.

Supporters of the proposal say it would prevent voter fraud. State representatives had voted 51-44 to approve the voter identification measure that was sent to Beebe.

In his veto letter on March 25, Beebe had said he "believes that the bill will unnecessarily cost taxpayers money, grow bureaucracy and risk disenfranchisement of voters."

The state Bureau of Legislative Research has said the law potentially could cost $300,000 for hardware, supplies, installation and training.

The law requires county clerks to make photo ID cards at no cost for registered voters who do not have other valid forms of identification. Voters who lack identification may cast provisional ballots, which would be counted if they return with photo identification.

Arkansas law has permitted poll workers to ask voters for identifying documents, but voters have not been required to show them.

The bill takes effect next January 1, but only if the legislature has appropriated money to issue voter ID cards.

Arkansas House Votes to Override Veto of Voter ID Bill