Voter identification; accepted forms of identification. (SB165)

Introduced By

Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-Leesburg)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Voter identification; accepted forms of identification. Adds to the list of accepted forms of identification for purposes of voting a valid identification card that contains a photograph of the voter and is issued by any private entity that is licensed or certified, in whole or in part, by the State Department of Health, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Under current law, an employee of any such private entity is permitted to use his employee identification card for purposes of voting, provided that the card contains a photograph of the voter; the bill allows a resident or other person who receives services from such private entity to use a valid identification card issued by the private entity for purposes of voting, provided that the card contains a photograph of the voter. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/28/2017Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18100994D
12/28/2017Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
01/16/2018Impact statement from DPB (SB165)
01/23/2018Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections (7-Y 6-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

Sue Mosher writes:

If someone resides in an assisted living facility, doesn't work, and doesn't drive, but does want to vote in person, why shouldn't they be able to use their facility-issued resident photo ID to vote? This bill would make that possible. I think it would be a meaningful expansion to people who are often at a disadvantage when it comes to being able to go to the courthouse to get a free voter photo ID. It would cover people who receive services from such licensed entities as:

nursing homes
hospices
adult day care centers
assisted living facilities
organizations that provide treatment, training, support and habilitation to individuals who have mental illness, developmental disabilities or substance abuse disorders

All employer photo IDs are already valid for voting, so this expands the universe of valid IDs to people who are less likely to have a driver's license or employer ID but have been rigorously vetted for their identity because they are receiving services from or are resident in a licensed facility.