Signed by Governor Patrick Morrisey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires a photo ID to vote in person in West Virginia.

Highlights:

• Requires a photo identification (ID) to vote in person in West Virginia (Article 1, Sec. 1-33).

• Defines the following as a valid photo identification, including (Article 1, Sec. 1-33):

• A valid West Virginia driver’s license or valid West Virginia identification card issued by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles;

• A valid driver’s license issued by a state other than the state of West Virginia;

• A valid United States passport or passport card;

• A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible voter issued by the United States government or the state of West Virginia, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of West Virginia;

• A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible voter issued by an institution of higher education in West Virginia by a West Virginia high school;

• A valid military identification card issued by the United States with a photograph of the person desiring to vote; or

• A valid voter registration card that includes the voter’s photograph issued by a county clerk in the state of West Virginia or the Secretary of State.

• Authorizes citizens to request a voter registration card with a photograph from either their county clerk or the Secretary of State, per the code (Article 1, Sec. 1-33).

• Specifies any Election Commissioner or poll clerk who authorizes or provides unchallenged assistance to a voter when the voter is known to the Election Commissioner or poll clerk not to require assistance in voting is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, be fined $5,000 and/or imprisoned for one to 5 years (Article 1, Sec. 1-33).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 90 days after the final adjournment date of the current legislative session (Article 1, Sec. 34).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires a photo ID to vote in person in West Virginia.

Highlights:

• Requires a photo identification (ID) to vote in person in West Virginia (Article 1, Sec. 1-33).

• Defines the following as a valid photo identification, including (Article 1, Sec. 1-33):

• A valid West Virginia driver’s license or valid West Virginia identification card issued by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles;

• A valid driver’s license issued by a state other than the state of West Virginia;

• A valid United States passport or passport card;

• A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible voter issued by the United States government or the state of West Virginia, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of West Virginia;

• A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible voter issued by an institution of higher education in West Virginia by a West Virginia high school;

• A valid military identification card issued by the United States with a photograph of the person desiring to vote; or

• A valid voter registration card that includes the voter’s photograph issued by a county clerk in the state of West Virginia or the Secretary of State.

• Authorizes citizens to request a voter registration card with a photograph from either their county clerk or the Secretary of State, per the code (Article 1, Sec. 1-33).

• Specifies any Election Commissioner or poll clerk who authorizes or provides unchallenged assistance to a voter when the voter is known to the Election Commissioner or poll clerk not to require assistance in voting is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, be fined $5,000 and/or imprisoned for one to 5 years (Article 1, Sec. 1-33).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect 90 days after the final adjournment date of the current legislative session (Article 1, Sec. 34).

Full Bill Text