Missoula County opposes HB 357 – Generally revise laws related to strengthening voter identification, before House State Administration tomorrow morning.
In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was enacted to standardize elections across the United States. Voter identification was a component of this act and the State of Montana adopted voter identification laws based off of Help America Vote Act. Thirty-two states follow HAVA's guidelines of photo and non-photo identification, while seven require a photo ID to cast a ballot. As states move toward stricter photo ID laws, these efforts are being struck down by the courts, such as in Texas and North Carolina. If this bill is passed, Montana will surely see the same appeals.
There are many safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the election process in Montana. When one registers to vote, election offices verify their information through either the social security administration or the motor vehicle department. Polling place voters must show either photo or non-photo identification to cast a ballot. Non-photo ID is very stringent and the information must match what is currently on record. Before an absentee voter's ballot can be accepted, the signature must first be compared to the signature on file. We compare signatures to voter registration and absentee applications to ensure it is truly that person casting the ballot. Any signatures that do not match are rejected.
The current voter identification laws in Montana are secure and are working to uphold the election process.
Sent Feb. 8:
ReplyDeleteRepresentative Bennett,
Missoula County opposes HB 357 – Generally revise laws related to strengthening voter identification, before House State Administration tomorrow morning.
In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was enacted to standardize elections across the United States. Voter identification was a component of this act and the State of Montana adopted voter identification laws based off of Help America Vote Act. Thirty-two states follow HAVA's guidelines of photo and non-photo identification, while seven require a photo ID to cast a ballot. As states move toward stricter photo ID laws, these efforts are being struck down by the courts, such as in Texas and North Carolina. If this bill is passed, Montana will surely see the same appeals.
There are many safeguards in place to protect the integrity of the election process in Montana. When one registers to vote, election offices verify their information through either the social security administration or the motor vehicle department. Polling place voters must show either photo or non-photo identification to cast a ballot. Non-photo ID is very stringent and the information must match what is currently on record. Before an absentee voter's ballot can be accepted, the signature must first be compared to the signature on file. We compare signatures to voter registration and absentee applications to ensure it is truly that person casting the ballot. Any signatures that do not match are rejected.
The current voter identification laws in Montana are secure and are working to uphold the election process.