2013 General AssemblyArkansas LegislatureVoter FraudVoter ID

Representative Richey’s Drive By

Rep. Richey driving by the polls, presumably without identification.
Rep. Richey driving by the polls, presumably without identification.

Now that election reform is only one hurdle away from becoming law (assuming no veto from our veto-happy governor), some lawmakers are pulling out all the stops to make sure that voters are as terrified as possible about the bill’s ramifications.

Today in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, state Rep. Chris Richey (D-Helena) said he doubted people [who forgot their IDs] would return to the polls to show them:

 I might just go ahead and drive past the polls because it’s not going to be worth my trouble.

Well, I sure hope Rep. Richey has his driver’s license (a valid form of voter ID) with him while he’s “driving by the polls.” Otherwise, he’s breaking the law.

And, assuming he is driving without ID, isn’t it amazing that Rep. Richey wouldn’t even drive home to get his ID in order to vote for himself? Showing an ID is apparently just too much to ask.

Despite these hysterical comments from Rep. Richey, Arkansas voters should note: no provision of the law would require you to return home to get your ID in order to vote. On the contrary, if you do not have a photo ID with you, you will be able to cast a provisional ballot. If you choose, you can return to the polls later in the day, show ID, and have your vote moved to the regular pile. But you will be able to cast a provisional ballot, much like under the current law where provisional ballots are given when there is a problem with a voter’s registration.

You can read the voter ID bill, SB2, for yourself here.

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