NM: ACLU Challenging ABQ Voter ID Ordinance

Thursday, October 27, 2005

ACLU Challenging ABQ Voter ID Ordinance

Associated Press

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico sued the city of Albuquerque on Thursday over its new voter ID ordinance, contending it's unconstitutional.

The ordinance, approved by voters Oct. 4, requires people who vote at the polls to present a current, valid identification card that includes their name and photograph. People who vote absentee are exempt from photo ID requirements.

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However, he said the ordinance contains fail-safe procedures to make sure people get to vote — even if they lack a photo ID — by using paper provisional ballots. A canvassing board later counts those that are ruled valid.

"You always get a provisional ballot as a last recourse,'' Shoesmith said.

Voters then have a number of options to make sure their ballot gets counted.

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http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/apvoterid10-27-05.htm

"The ordinance, approved by voters Oct. 4, requires people who vote at the polls to present a current, valid identification card that includes their name and photograph. People who vote absentee are exempt from photo ID requirements".

This is what I was telling you about. Why would they need this? They only want people who ((SHOW UP)) at the polling place to produce ID? Why?

"Shoesmith said the ordinance gives people up to 10 days after an election to present photo identification at the city clerk's office. People who don't have a photo ID can present two types of non-photo identification with their name and address or sign an affidavit verifying their identity. After the city verifies the person is registered to vote, the city issues a photo ID, he said."

It is not like Georgia's that did not have the other forms of id and CHARGED money for photo and that you could only get outside of Atlanta.