Ohio - HB 159 voter suppression legislation

[liberal N proud]

There is no documented voter identification fraud in Ohio, yet the proposed H.B. 159 seeks to remedy a non-existent problem with a costly solution. This bill would drastically restrict the type of IDs that Ohioans would be able to use to obtain their ballots -- unfairly targeting students, the elderly, racial minorities, low income families and people with disabilities.

This voter ID bill is just one more in a series of Republican attempts to place obstacles in the way of likely Democratic voters trying to cast their ballot. If passed, Ohio voters would need a state-issued driver's license or ID card, a military ID or a U.S. Passport in order to exercises their right to vote. Not only are these documents expensive, but the process of obtaining them can be difficult and time-consuming.

There is no reason other than partisan politics to pass this costly bill that will only result in voter suppression.

The Ohio House State Government and Election Committee is holding a hearing on this bill on Tuesday March 22nd. Local DFA Members will deliver this petition with signatures from people across the state to show our joint opposition to this partisan attack on voter rights.

http://democracyforamerica.com/activities/486?akid=638.1097718.ajdolF&rd=1&t=1

Full text of bill here:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_159

Crosspost in GD

[Deep13]

1. And with the left busy overturning SB 5 at referendum...

...this will go unchallenged. Anyway, it's not clear that the voters would reject this if put to a popular vote.

[Maraya1969]

2. A fucking passport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Gaul!!!!

[liberal N proud]

3. And it will cost you $115 to get a passport

Sounds like a poll tax in a way

[nvragn]

4. HB 159

Expensive? Not.

How to Obtain an Ohio Identification (ID) Card

Applicant must provide proof of the following:
Full legal name
Date of birth
Social Security number (if one has ever been assigned),
Legal presence (U.S. Birth Certificate, valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, Naturalization Papers, USCIS documents),
Residency.

State Identification Cards

New / Renewal
$8.50

Duplicate / Replacement
$7.50

[Kolesar]

5. It is discrimination against people who lost their homes to foreclosure

People in a bad "cash flow" situation may not be able to drive to the government office and buy a new driver's license or state ID. With an election coming up, they may not realize that they don't have proper documentation until it is too late. Republicans win