Indiana Voter ID Bill Likely to Become Law Despite Objections

The next time you vote, you’ll need to bring something extra with you. State lawmakers have passed a new bill requiring voters to have a government-issued photo ID. Republicans say it's to fight voter fraud, but Democrats say it's a burden that will force the elderly and minorities - people more likely not to have a license - to get an ID. For more than 200 years, all you've needed in your wallet when you went to the polls was a voter registration card. That signature isn't enough now. Not just any photo ID will do. You'll have to have a government issued photo ID. "This is one small step that I see over the next ten or even 20 years that will change the identification part…We don't have a documented court case [of voter fraud] but we do have specific instances out there where there were problems,” said Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville), the bill’s sponsor. Brown says the new law will instill voter confidence. Olga Villa Parra with the Indiana Latino Institute disagrees. She says seniors like herself – many who don’t even drive – lack licenses and have no need for a government ID. “This is going to cause people to stay away from the polls, especially minorities, especially folks that don't currently have a government ID.” [more]