A statement from Civic Nebraska in response to news that a tentative compromise version of voter ID is being drafted for consideration next week by the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. See media coverage for more details: 1, 2, 3, 4
“Civic Nebraska cannot in good conscience support any bill that makes it more difficult to vote. Voter ID laws comprise so many details that affect our right to vote, from the types of IDs accepted to procedures governing vote-by-mail, costs to voters, and efforts to inform the public. We will withhold full comment until we have an opportunity to evaluate the legislation’s full language.
“However, a quick response to the components of the compromise as described is that they appear to be less burdensome than what had been recently proposed. State senators are listening to Nebraskans when they say they would accept a simple, narrow version of voter ID – no duplicative steps, no provisions that discourage people from voting, and no unnecessary or additional costs, either in dollars or voters’ time.
“All voter ID bills are not created equal. It is our lawmakers’ responsibility to ensure that any administrative effects of this bill do not reduce anyone’s ability or opportunity to vote. And they must listen to the feedback from Nebraska voters once they can respond to the proposal presented.
“For months, the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee has listened to Nebraskans, worked in good faith across ideological lines, and crafted a bill to satisfy the constitutional amendment requiring photo ID while affirming and protecting Nebraskans’ fundamental right to vote. We are grateful for their commitment to this work.”
