Assembly Dems balk at GOP’s voting ID proposal

Legislation requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote was held up in the state Assembly committee process on Wednesday. 

The bill sponsor, Hudson Valley Republican Assemblyman Matt Slater, argued during a meeting of the Assembly Election Law Committee that the measure would improve confidence in elections and noted that Wisconsin voters approved a voter ID requirement for their state constitution the day before. 

The legislation, which he first introduced in 2023, would also allow a provisional ballot to be cast without presenting identification, with the local board of elections tasked with determining eligibility. Thirty-six states require some sort of voter identification when going to the polls.

The vote to hold the bill for consideration – Albany speak for a legislative death sentence – broke down along party lines, with Republican committee members opposing the motion. It is highly unlikely to receive a floor vote in the state legislature. 

Assembly Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker, a Brooklyn Democrat, described this type of voting requirement as discriminatory and a violation of civil and voting rights protections.

“Requiring that voters who have already provided proof of identity and address to additionally present government issued photo identification each and every time they seek to participate in an election would place an unnecessary and undue burden on the right to vote,” Walker said in the meeting.

Slater responded that a photo ID is required for daily activities, such as purchasing alcohol, entering a hospital, or obtaining a library card.

“When I checked into my hotel this week they asked for my ID,” Slater said. “We’re requiring an ID to get a library card, but not to cast a vote.”

J.T. Stone is a senior studying journalism at the University at Albany. He previously interned with WAMC Northeast Public Radio and Spotlight News covering New York’s capital region.