ID policy should support voting

By Star-Advertiser staff

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 09, 2012

~~<p>While the issue of requiring strict photographic identifica- tion by voters is being fought in highly contested states in this year's presidential race, Hawaii, to its credit, has maintained more sensible rules regarding voter registration. In accordance with the 2002 Help America Vote Act, first-time voters who did not provide identification when registering by mail must provide identification when they cast their ballot. But although a photo ID is encouraged, it's not necessary — a current utility bill, bank statement or other such document will do.</p>
<p>Few voters in Hawaii should have difficulty proving their identity and eligibility to cast ballots, which is a good thing. Given the weakness of the state's voter turnout, and the importance of the November election, anything that needlessly discourages a voter from casting a ballot is bad public policy.</p>
~~

While the issue of requiring strict photographic identifica- tion by voters is being fought in highly contested states in this year's presidential race, Hawaii, to its credit, has maintained more sensible rules regarding voter registration. In accordance with the 2002 Help America Vote Act, first-time voters who did not provide identification when registering by mail must provide identification when they cast their ballot. But although a photo ID is encouraged, it's not necessary — a current utility bill, bank statement or other such document will do.

Few voters in Hawaii should have difficulty proving their identity and eligibility to cast ballots, which is a good thing. Given the weakness of the state's voter turnout, and the importance of the November election, anything that needlessly discourages a voter from casting a ballot is bad public policy. Login for more...