Proposed bill would require a photo ID to vote in Kentucky. Here's what you should know

A bill that is being given high priority by Kentucky Senate Republicans may set up a major fight over voting rights in the commonwealth.

Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would require Kentuckians to have government-issued photo identification to vote. The bill has received the backing of new Secretary of State Michael Adams, who campaigned on the issue.

Here is what you should know about the legislation and existing law in Kentucky:

What are the voter ID requirements in Kentucky?

First, the prospective voter must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a state resident for at least 28 days. The person must also be registered to vote, which can be done at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb.

Then, once registered voters arrive at their designated precincts, election officials must confirm the identity of each voter by "personal acquaintance" or by certain forms of identification, according to a Kentucky state statute.

These forms can include a driver's license, Social Security card, government-issued identification and credit card, among others.

Click here for the full statute.

Update: Kentucky legislature: Photo ID bill advances but draws threat of legal challenge

Background: Republicans say voter ID bill will 'increase confidence' in elections

What is being proposed in Kentucky?

The bill's key component is the requirement of a photo of the voter on any form of identification they present.

People wanting to vote absentee also would be required to show photo identification, which is not the standard under current law.

Forms of acceptable IDs under this law would include identification issued by the U.S., Kentucky, military or colleges and universities that have the name of the voter, their photo and an expiration date.

If a person doesn't have a valid photo ID at their polling place, they would be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, as long as they sign an affidavit indicating they have "a reasonable impediment in getting a photo ID," Adams says.

That ballot would not be valid unless the voter presents their photo ID or a non-photo ID and additional affidavit to the county clerk's office by the Friday after the election.

Click here for the full copy of the bill.

On Politics: With new secretary of state, prepare for voting rights fight

Why is there support for a voter ID law?

Mills said requiring a photo ID would increase "public confidence in the election process."

Additionally, Adams said this bill would address voter fraud by people impersonating what he estimates are 300,000 to 400,000 individuals incorrectly listed on the state's voter rolls.

"It's a perfect storm for election fraud," Adams said. "We've got people on the rolls who shouldn't be there, who've died or moved to another state, and then there's no proof of identity."

However, Adams wasn't able to point to an instance over the past decade in which voter fraud was committed in Kentucky by someone impersonating another eligible voter.

Stephen Voss, an associate professor of politics at the University of Kentucky, said he does not believe the bill will have much of an impact, as this in-person voter fraud is rare. However, he said it could be a statement about protecting the security of American elections.

"The legitimacy of American elections has been called into question repeatedly by politicians on both sides of the aisle," Voss said. "So, I could see someone saying that adding to the legitimacy is an important priority, even if it won't really make that much of a practical difference.”

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What happens if someone can't afford a photo ID?

A common argument against photo voter ID laws is that they are discriminatory against people of a lower socioeconomic status who cannot afford to pay for the identification.

However, Mills' bill would allow eligible voters without a driver's license to receive a free photo ID card enabling them to vote.

Adams estimated that providing free photo ID cards would cost the state "low six figures."

What will happen to university-issued IDs that don't have expiration dates?

Both the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky have student IDs that do not have expiration dates. Therefore, under the new law, students would not be able to use their card as proof of identification for voting.

University of Louisville spokesman John Karman declined to comment on the impact the legislation may have on students as "the university has not closely reviewed this legislation."

Jay Blanton, spokesman for the University of Kentucky, said of the proposed bill that "our concern would be the cost to students and others of issuing a new ID once or on a repeated basis."

Opinion: Proposed photo ID law would make it harder to vote, not stop fraud

Will Mitch McConnell and other Republicans have an advantage in the November elections if this bill passes?

Many people have argued that voter ID laws hurt Democrats in elections, as it makes it harder for minority, lower socioeconomic communities that would usually vote blue to cast a ballot.

However, Voss said that in Kentucky, "the research evidence is a lot more mixed on the partisan implications of these rules," as those from a lower socioeconomic status — specifically white people from rural areas — have increasingly voted Republican.

Thus, if this bill were signed into law, it might not necessarily give Kentucky Republicans the advantage come November.

Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com.