Press Releases - Capito Supports Legislation to Increase Election Integrity

Capito Supports Legislation to Increase Election Integrity

WASHINGTON - In an effort to increase the integrity of the federal elections process and help eliminate voter fraud, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation that requires voters to show a photo ID before casting their ballot. The legislation, the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 (H.R. 4844), received strong support from Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

"The right to vote is one of our most cherished freedoms as American citizens," said Rep. Capito. "Unfortunately, there are those who have taken advantage of this freedom by distorting our election system through voter fraud. Voter fraud undermines the votes of law abiding citizens, and it works against the public confidence our electoral system deservers."

The Federal Election Integrity Act requires that in order for a person to vote, they must be able to show a photo ID by 2008. By 2010, all voters will be required to provide a photo ID that could not have been obtained without proof of citizenship. Notably, states must provide the necessary photo ID free of charge to individuals who cannot afford to pay. To help meet this goal, the bill authorizes funds to reimburse states for the cost of these programs.

The requirement of a photo ID at the voting booth is a central recommendation from the bipartisan commission on Federal Election Reform headed by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker.

Capito added, "In West Virginia, five individuals were recently convicted of illegally influencing elections. Our state has long suffered from these illegal and unethical tactics used to stifle the voice of the voters. While many of these problems that have been plaguing our system cannot be fixed overnight, I believe this legislation is a step in the right direction."

According to a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, 81 percent of Americans support requiring a photo ID at the polls.

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=207&whichone=pr