Parties Battle Over New Voter ID Laws

State: Arizona

Action: Proposition 200, approved by voters in 2004, requires proof of U.S. citizenship when registering and identification when casting ballots.

Result: Voting provisions are being challenged in federal court.

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State: Missouri

Action: A new law requires voters to present photo ID. Voters without an ID can use a provisional ballot until 2008, when only seniors, the disabled or those with religious objections to obtaining a photo ID will be allowed to cast provisional ballots.

Result: The law is being challenged in state and federal courts.

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State: Georgia

Action: Republicans have tried to require photo IDs at the polls. A 2005 law was ruled unconstitutional becaue of the difficulty and cost of obtaining an ID. A new law passed this year makes free IDs available, with some restrictions.

Result: A judge temporarily halted the law before elections in July. Litigation is pending.

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State: Ohio

Action: A new rule set criminal penalties for violating voter registration policies. Critics said this placed a punitive burden on organizations that register voters.

Result: Struck down by a federal judge.

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State: Florida

Action: GOP-dominated Legislature passed a law imposing steep fines on voter registration organizations that violate guidelines.

Result: A federal judge blocked enforcement.

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State: Indiana

Action: A law passed last year requires most voters to present a state-issued photo ID at the polls. The law was challenged by the Democratic Party and other interest groups.

Result: A federal judge ruled in April that opponents failed to prove it was too burdensome.

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State: New Mexico

Action: Last year Albuquerque voters approved an amendment to the city's election law requiring a photo ID when voting in person.

Result: Challenged by the ACLU in federal court.

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State: Wisconsin

Action: The GOP-led Legislature has repeatedly approved laws requiring a photo ID to vote, but the bills have been vetoed by Democratic Gov. James Doyle.

Result: Republicans are seeking a state constitutional amendment.

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Source: Times reporting

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\o7peter.wallsten@latimes.com

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