Again!? Virginia Lawmakers Pass Voter Photo-ID Requirement

Why can’t Republicans let go of the same old voter suppression ploys?

Clearly, some Republicans didn’t “get it” about voter ID laws during the 2012 presidential election. The Republican-dominated House of Delegated in Virginia on Wednesday approved a bill that requires voters to show a government-issued ID at the polls. If the law is signed by Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, the state would become the fourth with a strict voter ID requirement on the books. Opponents have long argued that such laws are only meant to suppress the turnout of poor, minority and Democratic voters. The Republicans in the Virginia House, however, swear that the requirements they are imposing can be easily met.  Nationally, voter ID laws and other suppression tactics weren’t tolerated by civil rights activists. Even the federal government, through Attorney General Eric Holder’s leadership, fought successfully to invalidate similar laws in Texas and South Carolina. What makes Virginia think they aren’t destined for the same fate? We've got no clue. But thanks to the Voting Rights Act, Virginia must obtain approved from Holder's Department of Justice before their requirement could take affect. Good luck with that one, guys! (New York Times)

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