FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Supreme Court validates Hershman’s push for voter ID law
(STATEHOUSE)— As many Hoosiers prepare to vote in the May 6 primary, Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) reminds area residents to make sure they have photo identification with them.
Indiana’s law requiring voters to produce photo ID at the polls withstood judicial scrutiny in a 6-3 opinion issued Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court. Hershman – who helped craft Indiana’s legislation and worked to shepherd the bill through the Senate in 2005 – said today’s decision was good news for all Indiana voters.
“I’ve been confident that this law would pass judicial scrutiny as it protects our right to vote from fraud,” Hershman said. “There is no clear proof that any voter has been disenfranchised by being required to show ID and today the Supreme Court upheld Indiana’s law does not violate constitutional rights.”
Hershman reminds voters that the ID must:
- Display the voter’s photo;
- Display the voter’s name as it appears on the voter registration record;
- Contain an expiration date and either be current or have expired after the date of the most recent General Election November 7, 2006; and
- Be issued by either the State of Indiana or U.S. government.
In most cases, Hershman said an Indiana driver’s license, Indiana photo ID card, U.S. passport or Military ID will suffice. If a voter does not possess ID meeting these requirements, the law requires the BMV to issue an Indiana State ID card free of charge, as long as the voter is able to present sufficient identifying documentation.
“Many everyday tasks, such as cashing a check, require a photo ID and it is a security measure worth applying to our election process,” Hershman said.
For further information visit PhotoID.in.gov or call the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 866-IN-1-VOTE.
Hershman represents Senate District 7, which includes Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe and White counties.
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