DES MOINES (AP) — Lawmakers in the state House are set to consider a bill that would require voters to show photo identification at Iowa polling places.
The state government committee is scheduled to consider the legislation at a Thursday meeting. The measure is backed by Secretary of State Matt Schultz, who has filed identical bills in the House and Senate.
Schultz, a Republican, has made voter ID one of his key issues. GOP lawmakers largely support him, saying identification is needed to prevent fraud. Democrats say there is little fraud and claim Republicans want to discourage voting by minorities and the elderly, who tend to favor Democrats.
Opponents of the legislation say a photo ID requirement would disenfranchise voters who don’t have required documents. They also say the rules could slow vote-counting.