From Deseret News archives:
State Senator introduces bill for the third time to require voters to prove citizenship
While the text of SB225 has yet to be made public, Madsen said it would require voters to show proof of citizenship while registering or the first time they vote. Those voters who are already registered would be grandfathered in.
Madsen is sponsoring the bill for the third time. He said he's hoping to solve concerns raised in the past about the potential disenfranchisement of Native American voters who may not have identification readily available, though he declined to discuss details.
"I don't want to disenfranchise people who are citizens," Madsen said. "In order to have confidence in the system ... it's worth a little bit of effort on everyone's part."
The legislation was prompted by "potential threats" Madsen said include possible organized efforts to register illegal immigrants to vote or people registering to vote in more than one state.
The bill was first introduced in 2005, after an audit revealed that 383 people believed to be illegal immigrants had registered to vote, and 14 had cast ballots in an election.
"I'm not sure what they're trying to solve," said Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swenson. "It just creates a bit of a hardship for everyone. ... If someone poses as someone else, we should punish that person."
Madsen acknowledged his bill may again spark some controversy, but said it's meant to make sure there is confidence in the system, "so when people feel they've cast their vote, it is not nullified by those who shouldn't be voting."
A list of valid documents proving citizenship in last year's bill may be expanded, he said. That list includes: a copy of a Utah driver license issued after July 1, 2005, a birth certificate, a U.S. passport, U.S. naturalization documents or other documents established as proof of citizenship, a Bureau of Indian Affairs card or a tribal treaty card.
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
Comments
- Provo convention center close 9:38 p.m.
- London latest in pilot drinking cases 9:37 p.m.
- Utah: $850M budget shortfall 9:35 p.m.
- Study: 10 states face budget crises 9:35 p.m.
- Cougar vets have seen darker days 9:32 p.m.
- PETA targeting U. laboratories 9:29 p.m.
- Audit: S.L. County 911 'inefficient' 9:25 p.m.
- Will state consider gay rights law? 9:23 p.m.
- Police: Child porn virus 'old story' 9:22 p.m.
- Curl up with a book and a dog 9:21 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Gays get Mormon support in SLC
- House passes health care bill
284 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
239 - TCU showdown has big implications
193 - Senators want food tax restored
157 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
109 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
108 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
100
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Sen. Scott Jenkins was name-checked by Jay Leno Monday night during his...
People just don't know how to control themselves do they?
Mark and Mike, what happens if the VECC dispatch center goes down? Who backs...
Another typical Sloanian game of players playing in fear of the boss. But...
What sport did you play? Golf? If anyone is complaining about the...
It sounds better to have 3, but thats not the case. When you have three...
unlike BSU fans.
All about money and business. I think it should be important when advertising...
gee thanks! great scoop!!!!!!!!
I have been enjoying BYU football ever since I was stationed overseas in the...
So much for the old movie "The Pelican Brief"



You can be the first to comment on this story.