The Idaho legislature is considering a bill that would prohibit the use of student IDs as a valid form of identification for voting, citing concerns over the lack of uniformity and sophistication of student ID cards.
Idaho HB 124 would bar student IDs from being used to vote at polling locations. The bill, authored by Rep. Tina Lambert, cites a “lack of uniformity in the sophistication of student ID cards” as the impetus of the legislation. Idahoans will still be able to use an Idaho driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a tribal ID card, an Idaho concealed carry license, as well as an Idaho or Federal photo identification card.
In a statement, Lambert explained that the bill was limited to student IDs since “passports, concealed carry licenses and tribal ID cards are not a concern for election integrity, as proof of identity is required to get them.”
As it stands, the overwhelming majority of Idaho voters use their driver’s license as their proof of identification. In the 2022 general election, “98.8% of the voters showed a driver license” as proof of identification, whereas only “104 voters … used their student ID card,” making it the “second least utilized form of personal identification” in state and local elections.
Though the number affected by this legislation accounts for a small fraction of the voter base, additional legislation has been drafted for the small number that would inevitably be impacted by the passage of HB 124.
Echoing Lambert’s concerns of election integrity, ASUI Sen. KaraLin Reynolds said that while everyone who wishes to vote should be able to, voting eligibility should be validated in a secure form.
“I just feel like our student IDs aren’t the best because they’re just a face and a name and they specifically say not for official use,” Reynolds said, adding that she would be in favor of legislation providing IDs for those with financial need.
Idaho HB 126, which was co-authored by District 5 Representative Brandon Mitchell, provides such an alternative for those that would be impacted by the removal of student IDs as an acceptable form of voting identification. According to the bill’s Statement of Purpose, it is estimated that “fewer than 2,000 no-fee ID cards will be used each year,” which would bear little financial impact upon Idaho Transportation Department.
“We knew if we got rid of the student ID, that we’d have to provide some way for students to actually vote,” Mitchell said. “So that’s why we’re putting in a free four-year ID from the state.”
Lambert stated in an email interview that she was in support of HB 126, which would allow ITD to provide four-year voter ID cards at a cost of $15 or eight-year ID cards at a cost of $25. Idaho residents unable to afford the cost would be issued an ID free of charge.
With a little more than 100 individuals using their student ID to vote in the 2022 elections, Mitchell said that the effect of HB 124 and HB 126 would likely be marginal. Even in the case of those that are moving to Idaho from Washington state for university, Mitchell noted that, as long as their Washington driver’s license is valid, it can be used to register to vote if provided along with proof of residency.
When asked as to whether this legislation was being introduced in response to there being evidence of voter fraud committed with student ID cards, Mitchell said that there hadn’t been any fraud committed that he was aware of.
“It’s a preventative measure,” Mitchell said. “When you look at the original law, the intent of the original law was that you provide an actual government issued ID along with that you provide something with your address on it.”
Mitchell said that concerns arise when considering the laws around same-day registration. Citing Idaho Code 34-408A, Mitchell noted that the current law would allow a voter to provide anything with their picture and anything with their address, regardless of the items being state issued.
“My scuba diving card and an Amazon box would work,” Mitchell said.
HB 124 is still being considered by the Idaho Senate. If passed, the bill would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @roycem_news
Joyce
As a resident and taxpayer in Moscow, I respectfully think that students should not have a right to vote in our county and city elections. I believe that anyone that does not permanently reside in a city or county and does not pay property taxes or own property, should not be given the responsibility and privilege of voting on tax increases, political offices, levies, etc. These people, students, are living here temporarily and the effects of what they vote on will NOT affect them after they graduate and leave but it WILL affect the permanent residents of this city/county for years and decades. I also think that some professors have been known to offer incentives to students to register to vote and then told who/how they should vote.