Civil Rights Activist Speaks Out Against Voter ID Bill
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: March 21, 2013
A hotly debated voter ID bill is one step closer to becoming law in Arkansas.
Senate Bill 2 would require voters present a photo ID at the polls, this bill more than any other has split Republicans and Democrats. Supporters say it'll help prevent fraud during elections. But those opposed, including local civil rights activists say the bill is a step backward and worry it'll stop some people from voting altogether.
Next to Annie Abrams' family photos lining her living room walls are articles and awards representing 50 years of activism.
"I've been to the UN where we fought for places like Africa to have a right to vote," she says.
Decades later, she's back in the ring fighting a bill mandating voters present photo ID at the polls in her home state.
"Oh my God, here we go all over I know history repeats itself but I didn't know it would repeat itself in my lifetime," Abrams says.
Senate Bill 2 met similar opposition at the state capital.
"I don't care how tired we are from hearing from people like me. It's nothing compared to how tired people were when they waited all those years to vote without the impediments," State Senator Joyce Elliot said to her colleagues.
Supporters, who are in the majority, say it was crafted to weed out potential election fraud, not voters.
"If I thought this particular bill would do what you're saying I would be against it completely," State Senator Jason Rapert said during hearings.
"Most things you have you need a picture. But not all of them," Abrams says.
Abrams says it makes sense on the surface but fears, people without means, transportation or money will miss out on exercising a right, so many others fought for.
"The right to determine your own destiny, that's what voting is about," she adds.
The only way this law will be implemented is if the Secretary of State's Office could find a way to put photo ID machines at each county clerk's office, so people could have access to ID's for voting nearby. The machines are estimated to cost the state around $300,000.
Right now, poll workers ask for ID at the polls, but if a voter doesn't have it, they can still vote and be verified later. Under Senate Bill 2 a person could vote without a photo ID but they would be required to submit photo ID the Monday following the election.
Senate Bill 2 would require voters present a photo ID at the polls, this bill more than any other has split Republicans and Democrats. Supporters say it'll help prevent fraud during elections. But those opposed, including local civil rights activists say the bill is a step backward and worry it'll stop some people from voting altogether.
Next to Annie Abrams' family photos lining her living room walls are articles and awards representing 50 years of activism.
"I've been to the UN where we fought for places like Africa to have a right to vote," she says.
Decades later, she's back in the ring fighting a bill mandating voters present photo ID at the polls in her home state.
"Oh my God, here we go all over I know history repeats itself but I didn't know it would repeat itself in my lifetime," Abrams says.
Senate Bill 2 met similar opposition at the state capital.
"I don't care how tired we are from hearing from people like me. It's nothing compared to how tired people were when they waited all those years to vote without the impediments," State Senator Joyce Elliot said to her colleagues.
Supporters, who are in the majority, say it was crafted to weed out potential election fraud, not voters.
"If I thought this particular bill would do what you're saying I would be against it completely," State Senator Jason Rapert said during hearings.
"Most things you have you need a picture. But not all of them," Abrams says.
Abrams says it makes sense on the surface but fears, people without means, transportation or money will miss out on exercising a right, so many others fought for.
"The right to determine your own destiny, that's what voting is about," she adds.
The only way this law will be implemented is if the Secretary of State's Office could find a way to put photo ID machines at each county clerk's office, so people could have access to ID's for voting nearby. The machines are estimated to cost the state around $300,000.
Right now, poll workers ask for ID at the polls, but if a voter doesn't have it, they can still vote and be verified later. Under Senate Bill 2 a person could vote without a photo ID but they would be required to submit photo ID the Monday following the election.
Comments
In my opinion there are way to many illegals in our state and this is the way to make sure they do not vote. If they want to vote, get the documentation they need to do so.$300,000 is a lot of money, but illegals are costing us much more.money. Save the 300,000 and get the illegals out of our state. Otherwise, provide the ID.
DeLois L.
March 20, 2013 at 11:53 am
