WILL DEMS GO FOR (R) GREG HAFEN’S Voter ID BILL?

February 12, 2023

Rob Lauer Political Reporter

Republican Assemblyman Greg Hafen II thinks he may have a chance to get voter ID bill AB 88 passed the Democrat-dominated State Legislature. In a recent poll, over 84% of voters in Nevada supported voter ID.

Assemblyman Hafen makes the argument:

“We need to show an ID to buy alcohol, to buy cigarettes, to go into a federal courthouse or fly on a plane. Those are just a few examples of things you need an ID for, so why shouldn’t you need to show an ID to vote?“

Hafen goes on the explain why his bill is different:

So what makes my bill different from all the other bills legislators have tried in the past that have failed? Well, mine addresses all the complaints Democrats make.  First, my bill doesn’t create any more work for election officials creating a new process for voting. We would simply use the same process clerks and election officials already use for same day voter registration,  where you have to show an ID! 

Second, to all the people who claim parts of the community cannot afford an ID, my bill solves that problem making Nevada identification cards free for anyone who claims a financial hardship.

Finally, my bill also increases the penalties for election fraud. Right now, if you commit election fraud, you get a slap on the wrist and some community service. My bill would make it a felony. If we want our elections to be secure, we need to take elections seriously, and my bill does this. 

According to the Clark County Elections Department, voter ID is already required for “paper provisional mail-in ballots in-person on the spot at one of the in-person voting sites.”

Identification and Proof of Residency: If you register to vote or update your
existing voter registration online from May 22 to June 4, or in-person from May 23 to
June 5 or on June 9, you must provide identification and, if needed, proof of residency,
to vote a paper provisional mail ballot in-person on the spot at one of the in-person
voting sites (see pages 7-8). NO VOTING MACHINES WILL BE USED FOR IN-PERSON
VO TING. The identification requirements are:
• Your unexpired Nevada (NV) Department of Motor Vehicles (OMV) Driver’s
License with your current residential address which must match the address in
your voter registration; or
• Your unexpired NV State Identification Card with your current residential address,
which must match the address in your voter registration; or
• Your NV OMV temporary “Interim Document” with your current residential
address, which must match the address in your voter registration.
• IF the address on your identification is not your current residential address,
meaning it does not match your voter registration residential address and/or if it
is not where you currently live, then you must also provide proof of current
residency, such as one of the following:

o A military identification card

o A bank or credit union statement

o A paycheck

o An income tax return

o A property tax statement

o Automobile registration

o A utility bill (electricity, gas, oil, water, sewer, septic, phone, cable, etc.)

o A mortgage statement, or residential rental or lease agreement

o Any other document issued by a governmental agency

Hillary Clinton’s lawyer, Mark Elias, sued the Nevada Secretary of State this year to stop a voter ID ballot initiative, claiming it’s racist and hurts minorities. Elias’ lawyers wrote in their complaint:

“In reality, the negative effects of strict voter identification laws like those the Petition proposes are well documented, and the need for such measures to safeguard “voter integrity” and prevent voter fraud has been widely debunked and discredited. One widely-cited study found that as many as 11% of U.S. citizens-or more than 21 million Americans-do not have government-issued photo identification. The shortfall does not fall evenly across all demographics: Black, Hispanic, young, and low-income voters are many times more likely to lack these forms of identification than their respective white, non-Hispanic, older, and higher-income counterparts. And the combined cost of document fees, travel expenses, and waiting time needed to obtain even ostensibly “free” identification cards is has been estimated to range from $75 to $175, making it cost prohibitive for many eligible voters to rectify their lack of identification.”