[EL] Chafee signs voter ID

Wed Jul 6 10:41:07 PDT 2011

Thanks for this, it points out what a very blue state approach to voter id 
is like and how it differs from earlier red state versions.  The big 
question now is whether other blue states will follow RI's example, thus 
taking this potential wedge issue off the table there.

David Stebenne
Associate Professor
of History and Law
Ohio State University
(614) 292-5359

At 01:09 PM 7/6/2011, Norden, Lawrence wrote:
>Eric  says "there is a big difference between Michigan and the states, 
>like Indiana, Georgia, now Rhode Island, and the others that have a strict 
>photo ID requirement."
>
>In fact, as Eric agrees,  Rhode Island's new ID requirement will be far 
>closer to Michigan's ID law in practice than the very restrictive 
>requirements in Indiana and Georgia.
>
>Until January 1, 2014 a RI  voter (in addition to an acceptable photo ID) 
>may provide a birth certificate, social security card or government issued 
>medical card to confirm identity.  After January 1, 2014, to cast a 
>regular ballot, a voter must show a current document with a photograph of 
>the person to whom the document was issued, including without limitation:
>
>(i) Rhode Island driver's license;
>(ii) Rhode Island voter identification card;
>(iii) United States passport;
>(iv) Identification card issued by a United States educational institution;
>(v) United States military identification card;
>(vi) Identification card issued by the United States or the State of Rhode 
>Island;
>(vii) Government issued medical card.
>
>*Note that the "without limitation" language suggests that ANY photo ID 
>that is valid and current will be accepted.
>
>Most importantly, if a voter does not have any current photo  ID, she can 
>sign an affidavit to that affect and cast a provisional ballot.  That 
>provisional ballot will be counted if the signature matches the signature 
>on the voter registration.
>
>Lawrence Norden
>Deputy Director, Democracy Program
>Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
>161 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor
>New York, NY 10013
>
>(P) 646-292-8326* (M) 646-463-1579 (F) 212-463-7308*
>
>
>*Note that my phone and fax numbers have recently changed
>
>From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu 
>[mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of Eric 
>Marshall
>Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 10:18 AM
>To: Estelle Rogers; D. Stebenne
>Cc: law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
>Subject: Re: [EL] Chafee signs voter ID
>
>There is a big difference between Michigan and the states, like Indiana, 
>Georgia, now Rhode Island, and the others that have a strict photo ID 
>requirement.  Michigan is requested, but not required.  If a voter doesn't 
>have photo ID she or he can sign an affidavit and still cast a regular 
>ballot.
>
>From: law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu 
>[mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of 
>Estelle Rogers
>Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 10:15 AM
>To: D. Stebenne
>Cc: law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
>Subject: Re: [EL] Chafee signs voter ID
>
>Although it hasn't been updated in a few days (RI signing isn't on it 
>yet), this NCSL chart might be of interest to you--Michigan is the one 
>that strikes me.
><http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16602>http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16602
>
>Estelle H. Rogers, Esq.
>Director of Advocacy
>Project Vote
>202-546-4173, ext. 310
>
>The information contained in this email is confidential and may contain 
>proprietary information. It is meant solely for the intended recipient(s). 
>Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the 
>intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action 
>taken or omitted in reliance on this, is prohibited and may be unlawful.
>
>
>On Jul 6, 2011, at 9:50 AM, D. Stebenne wrote:
>
>Does anyone know offhand if any other strongly "blue" state has recently 
>adopted a voter id law; or is RI unique in that respect?
>
>David Stebenne
>Associate Professor
>of History and Law
>Ohio State University
>(614) 292-5359
>
>At 07:02 PM 7/5/2011, David Segal wrote:
>
><http://newsblog.projo.com/2011/07/ri-tea-party-lauds-chafee-for.html>http://newsblog.projo.com/2011/07/ri-tea-party-lauds-chafee-for.html 
>
>
>
>Update: R.I. Tea Party lauds Chafee for signing voter-ID bill
>
>
>
>
>
>1:47 PM Tue, Jul 05, 2011 | 
><http://newsblog.projo.com/2011/07/ri-tea-party-lauds-chafee-for.html>Permalink
>Katherine 
>Gregg  <mailto:kgregg at projo.com><a272e.jpg>   <mailto:kgregg at projo.com>Email
>PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Tea Party is cheering Governor Chafee 
>for having signed legislation his office did not acknowledge he had 
>signed, on Saturday, until mid-afternoon Tuesday.
>
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