Senate Bill 1, which requires voters to present identification before being permitted to cast a ballot, awaits Gov. Bob McDonnell's signature following the Virginia House of Delegates' 66-31 approval of the measure Thursday. The Senate passed the bill last month.
Sen. Stephen Martin, R-Chesterfield, proposed the bill, which would eliminate the provision to allow a voter to sign a sworn statement testifying to his identity. SB 1 instead offers voters without identification a provisional ballot which would have to be verified the following day before being officially counted.
SB 1 expands the accepted forms of identification to include a valid identification card from any of Virginia's four-year higher education institutions.
The bill aims to decrease voter fraud. Virginia Democrats, however, condemned the General Assembly's passage of the legislation, claiming it would result in the widespread disenfranchisement of minorities, young people and the elderly, according to a statement from the Democratic Party of Virginia.
Gov. McDonnell has 30 days to sign the bill, but declined to comment on his position.
McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said the governor received the bill Saturday and plans to review it in the next few weeks.
-compiled by Viet VoPham
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