KPTM FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |No Photo ID Could Silence Vote

Maureen Wurtz

OMAHA (KPTM)- Elections are coming up fast and while most people know who they are voting for, the big question is will they have to take an extra step to cast their vote.

Nebraska State lawmakers have been debating a controversial bill that would require everyone to show government issued ID before they can cast their ballot.

Some argue they just want to make sure there's no voter fraud, but others worry it's just a way to keep people from casting their votes.

The sides were split like a ballot today on the issue of Nebraska voter ID requirements.

"Voting is a very important privilege-just like driving, and you need a license to do that. This is just as important,"  said Blaine McCulloh.

"I think its going to disenfranchise a lot of people, of Independents, Democrats, and Republicans," said Mike Boyle.

Senator Charlie Janssen of Fremont disagrees. He thinks Nebraska should cast its vote with the fourteen other states that require a photo ID.

Right now, Nebraska doesn't have any voting requirement.  Voters can use a paycheck, bill, or bank statement.

Janssen wants that changed to a government issued ID, such as a drivers license. "There's just no valid reason as to why somebody at the polls not wanting to show their ID, other than they want to commit fraud."

Boyle said it could turn away voters, especially students and elderly people. "If they don't have the right kind of ID, they'll be disenfranchised and that's not right."

Boyle worries Nebraska can't foot the bill.  He said if it passes, it could cost the state hundreds-of-thousands of taxpayer dollars.

Janssen argues it'll only cost the state 15,000 dollars to cover all 93 counties.

"What's the evidence that this has been happening? No one's been prosecuted for voter fraud in Nebraska," said Boyle.

"You can't really consciously say there isn't fraud happening because we can't prove it," said Janssen. "It's roughly akin to saying nobody ever steals from a cash register, but you never actually count the total in the cash register."

The bill will be discussed later this week.