The Iowa House has amended the Senate version of House File 516, the voter ID bill requiring voters to provide proof of identity and eligibility to vote and also includes the issuance of a personal identification number for those casting absentee ballots. On Monday night, the bill was sent back to the Senate for debate. Democrats who oppose the bill say it is costly and suppresses voters’ rights. At a recent Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum, Frank Hermsen asked House Representative, Brian Best, and Senator, Mark Segebart, a three-tiered question on the bill. He wanted to know what problem the bill was trying to solve, what data is available to make them believe there is a problem and how the various provisions within it solve the problems they believe exist. Senator Segebart took on the questions first, saying the bill is being brought to the forefront now because of the power shift in the state’s legislature.
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He added it is simply asking for proof of citizenship, and it has his full support.
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Best said he agrees with Segebart and that the bill is fair.
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Things have changed, said Best, and name and face recognition aren’t always the same in all parts of Iowa as they may be closer to home.
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Segebart closed out the discussion by saying that citizenship is an important aspect of this bill, and the military voter ID serves as proper identification. Since those Iowa members volunteering for the National Guard are required to take the same oath as the legislators, he said, the easiest way for immigrants to become American citizens is to volunteer for military service. He added they can, “Serve the country they are going to be a member of for a couple of years, and prove they are worthy of the right to vote.”