House has passed bill which allow voting without proof of identity
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – The US House of Representatives has passed a controversial election reform bill that would allow people to vote in the US without providing proof of identity provided they sign a sworn statement attesting to who they are, CNS News reports. The 886-page ‘For the People Act’ passed on March 3 by 220-210 votes with no Republican support.
In an introductory section called “findings,” the House explains the bill is needed because “States and localities have eroded access to the right to vote through…excessively onerous voter identification requirements.”
Regarding voter identification, the bill states that having to present such documentation may be financially burdensome, CNS notes. “Congress finds that…voter identification requirements…burden voters on account of their ability to pay,” the bill says on p.23.
CNS reports that the bill specifically prohibits states from requiring voters to present proof of identification before receiving a mail-in or absentee ballot. Voters without ID will have to complete a pre-printed sworn statement attesting to their identity under penalty of perjury. Additionally, the bill stipulates that states are not allowed to require a voter with no ID to have someone notarize their signature.
The bill has been sent to the Senate, where no action on it has been taken as yet, CNS reports. The bill can be blocked by a Republican filibuster, which could be overcome in the unlikely event that Senate Democrats can get a 60-vote majority to pass it.
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