House forwards contentious voter ID bill

March 27, 2021- 11: 52 p.m

One of the more hotly debated pieces of voting rights legislation to appear before the Legislature in 2021 cleared the House floor this afternoon, passing on a predominantly party-line vote.

Senate Bill 169, sponsored by Sen. Mike Cuffe, R-Eureka, would revise election laws to require people without a state, military or tribal photo ID or passport to provide two forms of identification when they register to vote and when they vote at the polls.

Those two forms would have to include one form of alternate photo ID, such as a student ID or a Costco card, and one additional form of identification such as a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government document with the voter’s name and address. In other words, eligible students who only have a school ID and want to vote would need to furnish a second document as well. 

The bill also adds concealed carry permits to the list of allowable single-source voter identification.

A previous version of SB 169 would have required voters to supply a valid photo ID. That language was taken out. The provision requiring college students to produce two forms of identification was also removed earlier in March, but reinserted via amendment on the House floor this week.

Lawmakers tussled over SB 169 at that point, debating the pros and cons of stricter voter ID requirements. Supporters argued the new provisions would strengthen Montana’s election process and prevent negligent or fraudulent electors from undermining democracy. 

Rep. Barry Usher, R-Roundup, said identity confirmation for voters should be held to the same standard as for people buying cars, recreational vehicles or houses, which require multiple forms of ID. He added that the ease with which illegal immigrants can obtain a driver’s license raises the possibility of non-eligible voters being able to cast a ballot. 

Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, R-Billings, cited her years of working for Delta Airlines when pointing out that the Transportation Safety Administration is currently stricter about ID requirements than Montana election law.