Senate votes on Husted photo ID bill

“So tonight, I’m asking my colleagues to answer one simple question: should you have to prove who you are when you vote?” View Husted’s remarks here . WASHINGTON – The Senate today voted on Sen. Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) bill to require voters to show photo ID at the polls. Senate Democrats blocked the bill from reaching the 60-vote threshold needed to advance, with a final vote of 52-46. As the only Republican Senator with experience as serving as Secretary of State, Husted is leading the effort to implement nationwide photo ID requirements, something more than 80% of Americans support. With 23 states —including Ohio—already requesting voters present photo ID, Husted supports establishing a photo ID requirement to secure American elections. Husted’s bill would’ve allowed Americans to vote by showing one of the following five forms of identification: state issued driver’s license, state issued ID, U.S. passport, military or veterans ID with a picture and an expiration date or a tribal ID with a picture and an expiration date. Husted spoke on his bill prior to the vote. His remarks include: “Using a photo ID to vote is common sense. “It’s an issue Americans broadly support.” . . . “So tonight, this early morning, I’m offering a clean, simple, straightforward bill to require a photo ID to vote in America. “Voters can use a driver’s license, a state issued ID, passport, military or veteran’s ID, or tribal ID. “No additional restrictions, no tricks, no games, no prohibitions on absentee voting.” . . . “Photo ID laws have been tested in elections across this country and they work.” . . . “So tonight, I’m asking my colleagues to answer one simple question: should you have to prove who you are when you vote? “Americans think we should and tonight we will find out if their senators agree.” . . . “I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill, to establish a nationwide photo ID standard, and give Americans better run, honest, and fair elections.” View Husted’s full remarks here .