The state Senate will be considering a bill to strengthen North Dakota’s voter I-D law.
Under current law, you must show some form of ID. If you don’t have one – you can sign a voter affidavit. 10-thousand-500 voters did just that in the November 2012 election.
The bill – which has passed the House – says you can no longer sign an affidavit, and you must have some form of ID. Secretary of State Al Jaeger says it doesn’t have to be a photo ID – as long as the ID has the person’s name, address and date of birth.
"The fact of the voter affidavit and the ballots being mixed in with the others is a problem of perception," said Jaeger. "Removing that is very essential to the overall integrity of the voting process."
The bill also says the state will pay for a voter ID card, to be issued by the Department of Transportation to voters who do not have a driver’s license. The ID does not have to have a photo.
Jaeger says despite what some opponents have said, this is not an effort to suppress voting.
"Most of that segment of the population affected by the change either votes by absentee ballot," said Jaeger. "We will work with all of the groups to make sure the proper ID is provided. If people want to vote, they will have every opportunity to vote."
