(Ohio) Voter ID rule is dead, at least for now

[Bill McBlueState]

Source: Columbus Dispatch

A plan to require Ohioans to show a photo ID before voting is dead.

"I think we'll probably not see it again," said House Speaker William G. Batchelder after a brief legislative session yesterday. "There's a limit to the amount of times you want to run your head into a wall, and it makes your ears ring."

Although the Medina Republican strongly supports the photo-ID requirement, the bill passed by the House is opposed by Secretary of State Jon Husted, a fellow Republican, and the GOP-controlled Senate.

...

Democrats bitterly opposed the bill that would require voters to show poll workers a government-issued photo ID (which could be obtained for free) before being allowed to cast a ballot. Noting that people who don't have such IDs are disproportionally elderly and minorities, opponents likened the proposal to the poll tax used to keep blacks from voting.

Read more: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/07/29/voter-id-rule-is-dead-at-least-for-now.html?sid=101

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I'm completely surprised the bill died so quickly. It's a great day for the right to vote in Ohio!

[CBHagman]

1. Ah, a tiny bluebird of happiness spotted this Friday.

Thanks for reporting the sighting!

[Deep13]

2. Out goddamn standing.

Now they'll have to rely on the old stand-by: long lines, no day off and confusion about proper polling places to suppress the poor and minority vote.

[Bill McBlueState]

3. the real win here...

has to do with what's on the ballot *this* November.

Ohioans will have a chance to repeal the law that limits collective bargaining and otherwise screws public employees. Suppressing Democratic votes with new over-the-top ID rules was a big part of the effort to retain the law.

[drm604]

4. Good news!

:bounce:

[buckrogers1965]

5. Papers, please.

Seems like every year my fellow Republicans get more and more fascist. I'm glad there are sane people to stop us from enacting these draconian big government programs.

[awoke_in_2003]

6. Ohio Senate repubs...

oppose this? Wow, their heads aren't entirely up their ass.

[EC]

7. Well, with 2 of their Congressmen losing

their licenses, it gives credence to any lawsuit that may arise if it did become law...all one would have to do is point to them and say, well, they are registered voters who will not be able to vote because they were caught drunk driving...that there are many reasons someone wouldn't have a license and it's not a requirement to live in the good ole USA.

[ChrisBorg]

8. Voters will still have to show an ID, utility bill or other approved document.

They need to establish their residence address.

[Bill McBlueState]

9. exactly

We already have a voter ID law. There's no good reason to toughen it.

[blackspade]

10. I love the M$M framing on this.

They try to make the bill 'reasonable by making this statement:
"Democrats bitterly opposed the bill that would require voters to show poll workers a government-issued photo ID (which could be obtained for free)"

There is nothing reasonable or fair about voter suppression.
The DOJ should be all over these pieces of crap legislation, but alas that would ruin the triangulation practiced in DC.

[Enthusiast]

11. Not to worry,

Republicans will have other voter suppression measures in place by election time.