Sen. Niezgodski introduced SB 169 expanding the list of acceptable documents for proof of identification allowing a person to exercise their right to vote. In addition to a federal or state ID, this legislation would allow a photo ID issued by a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary institution as acceptable proof of identity for a citizen who wants to exercise his or her right to vote.
This will never go anywhere because it satisfies only the stated reason for the underlying Voter ID law. The stated reason for the Voter ID law is that it’s necessary to combat voter fraud. IDs issued by state educational institutions should be satisfactory to provide the necessary security. After all, the instances of people posing as someone else to cast an in-person ballot are rare at best.
But, it doesn’t address the unstated reasons for Voter ID laws. They tend to depress voter turnout among demographics more likely to vote for Democrats. This provision does not further that unstated policy goal and, therefore, I predict it will not pass.
Heaven forbid that America’s youth, the future of the nation, should be allowed to participate in creating their future.