Voter identification; repeal of photo identification requirements, additional forms.

Voter identification; repeal of photo identificationrequirements; additional forms of identification accepted; signed statement inlieu of required form of identification; penalty. Removes the requirementthat voters show a form of identification containing a photograph in order tobe allowed to vote. The bill requires a voter to show one of the following: hisvoter registration confirmation documents; his valid Virginia driver's license,his valid United States passport, or any other identification issued by theCommonwealth, one of its political subdivisions, or the United States; anyvalid student identification card issued by any institution of higher educationlocated in the Commonwealth or any private school located in the Commonwealth;any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter andissued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer'sbusiness; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, governmentcheck, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and addressof the voter. A voter who does not show one of the required forms ofidentification when offering to vote is required to sign a statement that he isthe named registered voter he claims to be in order to be permitted to cast aballot. Such statement is signed subject to felony penalties for making falsestatements, punishable as a Class 5 felony. A voter who does not show one ofthe required forms of identification and does not complete or sign thestatement shall be offered a provisional ballot according to the provisions ofcurrent law. The bill adds language regarding identification requirements forcertain voters pursuant to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.