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Monday, March 21, 2011

Arkansas Politics Republicans pass voter ID

Posted by Max Brantley on Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 2:48 PM

A pet piece of Republican cookie cutter legislation — to require voters to exhibit a photo ID — passed the House today 53-36. Rep. Darrin Williams voiced heartfelt opposition on behalf of his elderly adoptive mother, who never drove and never had a driver's license. It is not an easy matter to get a photo ID if you are poor and have no car, Williams said.

The bill provides no assurances about any reliable or funded way to get a ready source of voter IDs available around the state. But the bill is about discouraging poor, minority and elderly from voting. There's only the slightest of anecdotal evidence of any significant problem with unregistered people voting or voting in the names of others. It's simply not an effort-rewarding exercise. Better to buy your votes in Congress and the legislature with money, as the Kochs have done.

The bill goes to the Senate.

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Speaking of Voter ID

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Consider this an open line. /more/
Vote fraud: Myth-busting in Ohio

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This is really important, since the Republican-majority legislature in Arkansas just joined the "vote fraud" brigade with Voter ID legislation designed to depress turnout among traditional Democratic constituencies. /more/
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The Arkansas Republican Party, having passed a Voter ID bill developed nationally to depress turnout among traditional Democratic constituencies, mounted a PR effort this morning to show that they really do care about people voting. /more/
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Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday vetoed the Republican vote suppression bill because it unnecessarily restricts the right to vote. It was courageous. /more/
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March 25, 2013

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Gov. Mike Beebe has vetoed SB 2, the Republican-backed Voter ID bill. /more/
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More »

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More by Max Brantley

'Tort reform' proposal alters balance of power

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Arkansas Blog

Monday, March 21, 2011

Arkansas Politics Republicans pass voter ID

Posted by Max Brantley on Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 2:48 PM

Speaking of Voter ID

Consider this an open line. /more/

This is really important, since the Republican-majority legislature in Arkansas just joined the "vote fraud" brigade with Voter ID legislation designed to depress turnout among traditional Democratic constituencies. /more/

The Arkansas Republican Party, having passed a Voter ID bill developed nationally to depress turnout among traditional Democratic constituencies, mounted a PR effort this morning to show that they really do care about people voting. /more/

At 2:20 p.m., the House is hearing arguments from Rep. Stephen Meeks to override Gov. Mike Beebe's veto of the bill to require a photo ID to vote in Arkansas. /more/

The Arkansas legislature faces a six-day week next week because of the need for extended meetings to complete action on pending business before the currently scheduled end of the session April 19. /more/

When they say it (voter ID, whatever) isn't about race or poor people .... Check this out. /more/

Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday vetoed the Republican vote suppression bill because it unnecessarily restricts the right to vote. It was courageous. /more/

Gov. Mike Beebe has vetoed SB 2, the Republican-backed Voter ID bill. /more/

The line is open. Finishing up: * VOTING RIGHTS: Now that the legislature has approved a bill to make it harder to vote in Arkansas, it's a good time for reading the Encyclopedia of Arkansas's new entry on voting rights in Arkansas. /more/

Comments (14)

More by Max Brantley

The State Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission today announced disciplinary actions against two judges for unethical behavior.

Event Calendar

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Re: Central Arkansas Library board proposes to name children's branch for Hillary Clinton

Re: The open line — spanking wives for Jesus

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