Reis Photo ID’s Needed To Combat Voter Fraud

February 8, 2008

Olney, IL.…Strengthening the integrity of Illinois’ voting process will once again be a top priority of Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) as the General Assembly returns to Springfield for the spring legislative session. Reis will be pushing for committee passage of HB 4403 that will require voters to present a government-issued photo ID to an election judge prior to voting.

"This legislation is long overdue and will restore confidence in the voting procedure itself," Reis said. "It will help ensure that the person showing up at the polls is really the person who they claim to be."

Over 100 democracies around the world already make use of voter identification cards without infringing on the rights of the people voting. In 2005 a special U.S. electoral commission, co-chaired by Former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker, traveled around the world to observe elections and issued their recommendations. On of the top recommendations in their final report was a requirement of providing a photo ID before voting.

The measure will also authorize the election authority to provide a Government ID card free of charge to those who cannot afford to purchase a card. In addition, the bill will allow for provisional voting if a person does not have an acceptable form of ID on the day of the election.

"Our legislation ensures that in the event someone cannot afford a state issued ID, one will be provided at no cost to the individual,” said Reis. “Regardless of your financial status, you have the inalienable right to vote and this bill safeguards that right.”

HB 4403 has been assigned to the Elections & Campaign Reform Committee for a hearing when legislators return to Springfield during the week of February 13th

"I have been working on this bill for three years now,” Reis concluded. “I’m glad that we were finally able to get a committee hearing on the bill so that we can discuss in further detail the merits of the proposal."

For additional information please contact Representative Reis’ office at (618) 392-0108 or keith@davidreis.org.