Idaho Republicans Introduce Bill Removing Student IDs and Provisional Ballots From Photo ID Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, Jan. 30, Republicans on the Idaho House State Affairs Committee introduced a bill to remove student ID cards from the list of acceptable identification to vote, as well as the option to submit a personal affidavit if a voter lacks other ID. Currently, Idaho law requires photo identification at the polls before voting in-person. Acceptable identification includes an Idaho driver’s license or identification card issued by the Idaho Transportation Department; passport or other U.S. government issued photo ID; tribal identification card with a photo; a current student identification card with a photo issued by a high school or an accredited institution of higher education or a license to carry concealed weapons.
House Bill 54 would remove student IDs from the acceptable list of identification, while continuing to accept concealed carry permits and more. Additionally, for voters who lack acceptable identification, H.B. 54 would remove the option to sign a personal identification affidavit swearing one’s identity. According to the Idaho Capital Sun, the bill sponsor, Rep. Tina Lambert (R), pointed to voter fraud as the main impetus behind the bill. “My constituents are concerned that students, maybe from a state like Washington or Oregon where they vote by mail, may come over here with their student ID and vote in person and then fill out their ballot in another state, thereby voting twice,” Lambert said to the committee on Monday. Neither Lambert nor any other bill supporters cited any instance of double voting or voter fraud by students, which is already a violation of federal election law.