HB 3016: Photo voter ID. - West Virginia

Committee Substitute → hb3016 s jud am _1 4-9 adopted.htm · 6 edits

MODERATE

This amendment updates the text of HB 3016 to reflect its adoption by the Judiciary Committee on April 9, 2025. It standardizes the formatting of the bill's title and chapter headings, corrects grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout the voting identification requirements, and clarifies specific exemptions and procedures for voters unable to provide photo ID.

Scope change

The scope of the bill itself remains focused on voter identification requirements, but the amendment clarifies the applicability of certain ID types (like those issued under specific non-citizen provisions) and refines the rules for voters who cannot produce a photo ID.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that driver's licenses or ID cards issued under specific non-citizen provisions are valid even if they do not contain a photograph.

Corrected the rule for expired IDs for voters aged 65 or older, specifying that the ID must not have expired on their 65th birthday.

Updated the fee policy for photo voter registration cards to explicitly state that no fee can be charged for the application or issuance.

Refined the language regarding assistance for voters with disabilities, clarifying conditions under which assistance is permitted and the requirements for challengers.

TECHNICAL

Standardized the capitalization of section titles and corrected numerous grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and inconsistent punctuation throughout the text.

Corrected the description of the affidavit process for voters accompanied by a known adult to ensure the adult presents a valid ID with their photo.

hb3016 s jud am _1 4-9 adopted.htm → hb3016 sfat stuart _1 4-10 adopted.htm · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify the title and scope of the legislation, which deals with voter identification requirements. The amendment removes the committee amendment text and replaces it with a clean version that specifies the bill's purpose: updating valid voter ID requirements, requiring photographs on most IDs, allowing certain expired IDs for voters 65+, and eliminating some previously accepted documents like bank cards and utility bills.

Scope change

The scope remains focused on voter identification requirements for elections in West Virginia, but the amendment clarifies the legislative intent and removes procedural markup from the original committee version.

TITLE

The bill title was changed from a committee amendment notation to a formal description stating the bill amends voter identification requirements, requires photographs on most IDs, and modifies which documents qualify as valid identification.

PROCEDURAL

Removed committee amendment markup and procedural text that was part of the legislative process but not part of the final bill language.

REQUIREMENT

The amendment clarifies that most valid identifying documents must contain a photograph of the voter, with exceptions for certain documents like driver's licenses issued without photos under specific state provisions.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed bank cards, debit cards, utility bills, bank statements, and health insurance cards from the list of acceptable voter identification documents.

Maintained the provision allowing voters 65 and older to use expired identification documents, provided the document had not expired on their 65th birthday.

Kept the provision allowing voters to be accompanied by a known adult for six months or to vote without ID if the poll worker knows them for six months.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly tightens voter identification requirements by mandating that most valid IDs must contain a photograph, while adding numerous new acceptable forms of identification including concealed carry permits, Medicare cards, birth certificates, and utility bills. The changes aim to prevent non-citizen voting by distinguishing between citizen and non-citizen driver's licenses, while maintaining exceptions for elderly voters and those with known poll workers.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of acceptable identification documents from a limited list to include many new categories such as concealed carry permits, Medicare cards, birth certificates, hunting/fishing licenses, SNAP/TANF/Medicaid cards, bank cards, utility bills, and health insurance cards.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new acceptable identification documents including concealed carry permits, Medicare cards, Social Security cards, birth certificates, hunting/fishing licenses, SNAP/TANF/Medicaid cards, bank/debit cards, utility bills, bank statements, and health insurance cards.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the general requirement that valid identification documents must contain a photograph of the voter, with limited exceptions for certain West Virginia driver's licenses.

Added requirement that driver's licenses issued to lawful non-citizen residents must be easily distinguishable from those issued to citizens to prevent non-citizen voting.

Modified expired document provisions to allow any expired ID for voters 65 and older, provided it was unexpired on their 65th birthday.

Added new provision exempting voters in state-licensed care facilities from presenting identification when voting in person.

Added requirement for election officials to record when voters do not present valid identification and execute identity affidavits.

DEFINITION

Modified the affidavit form for voters unable to present identification to include specific language about criminal prosecution for false information.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Apr 30, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates voter identification requirements in West Virginia, mandating that most valid IDs must include a photograph. It removes several previously accepted forms of ID that do not contain photos (such as Medicare cards, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and utility bills) while adding new acceptable photo IDs like concealed carry permits. The bill also expands exceptions for voters who cannot provide photo ID by allowing poll workers to let known voters vote without ID and permitting provisional ballots for those unable to produce valid identification.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope of acceptable identification documents by removing non-photo IDs while simultaneously expanding exceptions for voters who cannot meet the photo requirement.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the general requirement for voter identification to mandate that valid documents must contain a photograph of the voter.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed Medicare cards, Social Security cards, birth certificates, hunting/fishing licenses, SNAP/TANF/Medicaid cards, bank cards, utility bills, and bank statements from the list of acceptable voter IDs.

Added concealed carry permits as a valid form of voter identification.

Added a new provision allowing poll workers to permit voters they have known for at least six months to vote without presenting any identification.

Added a provision allowing voters unable to produce valid ID to cast a provisional ballot by signing an affidavit affirming their identity.

Modified the affidavit exception for voters accompanied by a known adult to require the accompanying adult to present their own valid photo ID.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Apr 12, 2025

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands voter identification requirements in West Virginia by mandating that most valid IDs must include a photograph, while adding several new acceptable forms of identification that do not require photos. The changes also introduce new exemptions for voters who cannot provide photo ID and establish a provisional ballot process for those unable to furnish valid identification.

Scope change

The bill broadens the scope of acceptable voter identification documents and modifies the requirements for when photo identification is mandatory, affecting all registered voters in West Virginia elections.

REQUIREMENT

Added a general requirement that valid voter identification documents must contain a photograph, with limited exceptions.

Removed the requirement that non-citizen driver's licenses must show 'NON-CITIZEN' to be acceptable, while maintaining restrictions on those documents.

Added provision that expired identification documents are valid for voters aged 65 or older if they were unexpired on their 65th birthday.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new acceptable identification documents including bank cards, debit cards, utility bills, bank statements, and health insurance cards.

Created exemptions allowing voters who cannot provide photo ID to be accompanied by a known adult witness or to vote without presenting ID if the poll worker knows them.

Established a provisional ballot process for voters unable to provide valid identification, requiring an affidavit to verify identity.

Photo voter ID.

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