Photo ID laws have been scrutinized on the state and federal levels for disenfranchising certain voters in an effort to prevent a virtually nonexistent election crime. A new Tennessee photo ID law is now under scrutiny.
“Earlier Monday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., highlighted concerns about the new voter ID law in a Nashville news conference and called on Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to outline measures to ensure people aren’t disenfranchised,” according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Durbin expressed his concerns that Tennessee’s law could create undue hardships on people who need to establish their eligibility to vote, such as taking time off of work or waiting for hours just for a photo ID.
When asked if he thought the Supreme Court–which approved Indiana’s strict photo ID law–would recognize these hardships, Durbin replied, “I think if they explore the real cost to people to comply with state laws, it raises some serious constitutional issues.”
Sen. Durbin held a hearing last week to address the issues created by new voting laws and whether they create “barriers to the ballot.” The conversation was focused on photo ID laws.
“Haslam spokesman David Smith said Monday the governor has yet to receive Durbin’s letter and referred questions to the Safety Department,” the Times Free Press reports. “Safety spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals said the agency is already issuing free IDs specifically for voting purposes.”
The agency reports that 126,000 registered voters over age 60 have non-photo ID and are entitled to get free photo ID for voting purposes. Such people “will be placed in ‘express service’ lines to cut down the amount of time they have to wait, Donnals said.”
State Rep. Joanne Favors (D-Chattanooga), who called the law “troubling,” is reportedly also organizing a local effort to help voters comply with the law before the election.