LINCOLN — Representatives from nearly two dozen groups opposed to legislation requiring photo identification for voters staged a rally Wednesday at the State Capitol.
Speakers against Legislative Bill 239 said requiring photo ID at the polls will reduce voter turnout, increase the cost of elections and disproportionately affect minorities, the elderly and the poor. Linda Duckworth, president of the League of Women Voters of Nebraska, argued that voter impersonation isn't a problem in Nebraska.
"As a former English teacher, it pains me to say — if it ain't broke, don't fix it," she said.
Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont, the sponsor of the bill, said requiring photo ID would prevent fraud. He also has said he believes most Nebraskans support the concept.
Omaha Sen. Brenda Council told the group of about 70 gathered in the Capitol Rotunda she recently read that significant numbers of African-Americans older than 65 do not have birth certificates.
"So do we just exclude them from the electoral process even though they have voted all of their adult lives?" Council said.
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