Grand Canyon Times

A Senate bill introduced into the Arizona Legislature that would require voters to include a proof of identification with mail-in ballots is facing claims of voter suppression.

Arizona has a "strict non-photo ID" policy at the polls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. 

"If ID is not presented, the elector votes on a provisional ballot and must return to display ID within 5 days," the law states.

Senate bill SB 1713 would require photo identification for absentee or mail-in voting.

"We need to make sure people have confidence in the election, how it’s carried out, how votes are counted and ultimately – and most importantly – the outcome,” Sen. J.D. Mesnard, (R-Chandler) told KTAR. “That’s what we’re seeking to achieve.” 

Mesnard, the author of SB 1713, said the bill will require absentee voters in Arizona to provide basic ID information when submitting ballots. This includes information such as legal name and birth date, as well as state ID or driver's license number.

According to a Rasmussen Reports poll, 75% of likely U.S. voters agree that voters should be allowed to display photo identification, such as a driver's license, before voting. Just 21% of people reject such a requirement.

Ballotpedia reports that for absentee or mail-voting, all 50 states require a valid signature to be counted. Arizona is one of 32 states that require signature matching on absentee ballots.

Voting by mail has been available in Arizona for more than two decades and approximately 80% of Arizona voters already choose this voting method.

KTAR reports that those arguing against the bill state that it creates additional barriers to early voting.