Senate Democrats block Husted bill for voter ID

WASHINGTON – The Senate today voted on Sen. Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) bill to require voters to show photo ID at the polls.

Senate Democrats blocked the bill from reaching the 60-vote threshold needed to advance, with a final vote of 52-46.

As the only Republican senator with experience as serving as secretary of state, Husted is leading the effort to implement nationwide photo ID requirements, something more than 80% of Americans support.

With 23 states – including Ohio – already requesting voters present photo ID, Husted supports establishing a photo ID requirement to secure American elections.

Husted’s bill would’ve allowed Americans to vote by showing one of the following five forms of identification: state issued driver’s license, state issued ID, U.S. passport, military or veterans ID with a picture and an expiration date or a tribal ID with a picture and an expiration date.

Husted spoke on his bill prior to the vote. His remarks include:

“Using a photo ID to vote is common sense.

“It's an issue Americans broadly support.”

“So tonight, this early morning, I'm offering a clean, simple, straightforward bill to require a photo ID to vote in America.

“Voters can use a driver's license, a state issued ID, passport, military or veteran's ID, or tribal ID.

“No additional restrictions, no tricks, no games, no prohibitions on absentee voting.”