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CARMEL, N.Y.— State Assembly member Steve Katz (R-Yorktown) announced his new bill targeting voter fraud, calling for legislation that would require New York residents to show photo ID when voting.
Katz made note of the fact that photo identification is needed for nearly “all facets of life” whether it comes to cashing a check or getting onto a domestic flight.
“We the taxpayers, the taxpaying citizens and legal residents of New York, will now demand elections free of voter fraud,” Katz said from the Putnam County Courthouse.
Katz said most everyone who votes already has a New York State driver's license, and those who don’t can purchase an ID from the state for $9. Katz said those who are unable to pay that fee can have it waived by the state.
He also suggested that for those who don’t drive and would need to be driven somewhere to register for the card, both Republican and Democratic parties would quite probably volunteer to bring a potential voter to register.
“This is America, these are not huge hurdles that need to be overcome in order to register to vote," said Katz. "We are asking for the basic decency for the sake of the tax paying citizens who do not want their elections stolen. That is not a lot to ask.”
Currently 31 states require all voters to show ID before voting, 15 require the identification to include a photo. Katz’s bill is known as Assembly Bill 9041. Katz said his introduction of the bill was not motivated by a specific case in his own district, rather an issue the state, and nation.
Katz also called on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to allow this bill to make it to the floor for an up or down vote.
Comments (7)
Dear Mr. Katz,
How about a Bill that Halts Political CORRUPTION in Westchester and in NYS ?
It is such a LAME and deceptive excuse to say certain people won't be able to vote. If this election is SO IMPORTANT to them, they have 10 MONTHS to make arrangements to get an ID that costs just a few dollars or is free. We just had 4 local democrats in Troy NY get convicted of voter fraud within the last few months. They were forging signatures on absentee ballots. Just about 2 months ago, a democratic politician went on Follow the Money, I can't remember his name but he said that's exactly how they do it. If there is a district they think they may lose, they do a ton of fraudulent absentee ballots to win that district. You have to show and ID for everything else, this is essential to fight fraud.
I am so glad you mentioned all the situations where the Dem's committed fraud. We know there are no instances of Repub's doing it....
This is a power play to limit voting to people of means - and it is detrimental to both sides of the political spectrum. It is control over people. I thought Republicans stood for less of this. Where is my party? Many people in NYC do not have a photo ID - they do not have a driver's license. Are you telling me we need to prevent them from voting over this? Ridiculous...
Except that there is no voter fraud here! or really most anywhere in the US. Voter fraud is not a problem in the US. So what is the motivation behind this? Get the facts. This is another unneeded regulation.
Trishna:, have you been living in a cave for the past couple of years? Do a Google search for voter fraud in New York State. You will find that several Democrat's from upstate New York have been charged and convicted . So much as there is NO voter fraud.
Thank you Mr Katz, for being some one that has the guts to do this!! It is long overdue! I would like to hear the objections to this proposal. What logic can they use to oppose this bill?
Will there be a similar bill in the State Senate? Also how does the governor feel about it? Need a follow up story on this very important issue.