We applaud Gov. Brad Henry for taking a stand and vetoing the voter identification bill presented to him this past week. The League of Women Voters, various other organizations and this newspaper, opposed the legislation in the belief that it would disenfranchise some of our state's voters.
The requirement that a voter have a state or tribal-issued identification is not necessary. It could be a roadblock to elderly and poor voters who see a photo identification as yet another costly requirement and not bother to go vote.
Now, lawmakers plan to send the matter to a vote of the people in 2010. We believe that gives the public ample time to weigh the two sides and cast their ballots accordingly.
We believe the requirement fixes a problem that doesn't exist in Oklahoma. We know of only a few instances of voter fraud. They usually involve voters who request and vote by absentee ballot and then vote again in the General Election.
Absentee ballots are sent out 30 days before an election so it's conceivable that a voter could forget they had already voted. Instances of voter fraud on election day are extremely rare.
Indiana's voter identification bill was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court this past year. In its ruling, the court suggested that a better challenge to the case could be brought by a plaintiff who could prove they were kept from legally voting. The Indiana case was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union.
That hint opens the door that the court believes an identification requirement could be a barrier to voting.
Opinion
Governor was correct in vetoing ID legislation
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