Action | Proposed Regulation on Voter Photo Identification Document |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 5/12/2014 |
Comments of the League of Women Voters of Virginia on the Proposed Regulatory Documents for Voter Photo Identification Cards: May 6, 2014
The League of Women Voters of Virginia appreciates the opportunity to comment on the proposed regulations for the Voter Photo Identification Document although we continue to believe that the legislation requiring the use of a photo ID by Virginia voters is unnecessary and a step backward in facilitating participation in our democracy for all eligible Virginia citizens.
Because of our belief that election laws and procedures should be designed to facilitate voting and encourage participation of a large percentage of citizens in all elections, we believe that access to the free photo ID requires:
We believe that providing a temporary voter identification document if the regsitered voter's application is made after the deadline for registering to vote in the upcoming election as provided in section B is necessary. It will eliminate a lot of potential problems at the polling place. It is important that:
Just as the Department of Elections will need to revise voter registration forms, documents and information to indicate the need to provide a photo ID at the polls, General registrars and electoral boards need to be advised to do likewise. This affects staff and volunteer training as well as public information sources and activities.
Several sections need to be clarified. These include:
It is always important to anticipate potential problems, especially those that cause voter confusion and delays at the polls. While some of these have been covered above, two more come to mind:
Finally, the need for, and meaning and connections of, the references included in section G should be explained and clarified. In addition, the decision (see minutes of SBE meeting of April 23, 2014) to exclude the "felony penalty warning" on the photo ID application form based on advice from the Attorney General's office and the fact that the legal justification to require such a warning does not exist should be noted.
League of Women Voters of Virginia (tm), May 6, 2014