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State Affairs committee advances bill requiring date of birth or license number for affidavit voters
Summary
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to advance S 1322, which would require voters using an affidavit to provide a date of birth or driver’s license number for verification; Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane testified in support and committee members discussed rural verification challenges.
The Senate State Affairs Committee on Feb. 25 advanced S 1322, a bill by Senator Lenney that would require voters who cast a ballot using an affidavit to provide either their date of birth or a driver’s license number so poll workers can verify identity.
Senator Lenney presented the measure as an election-security step. Senator Toews questioned whether adding date of birth materially deters fraud; Lenney responded that the requirement makes affidavits harder to misuse. Phil McGrane, Idaho’s Secretary of State, testified in support, saying the bill “strengthens safeguards while still allowing those who show up without identification to cast their vote” and noting the committee discussed solutions for rural counties that lack reliable cellular service for verification calls.
Senator Shippy clarified that a voter who knows their driver’s license number but not their physical card could still use this method; Senator Ruchti emphasized the legal weight of affidavits as sworn statements. Senator Shippy moved to send S 1322 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation; Senator Den Hartog seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
If passed by the full Senate, the bill would change verification procedures used by poll workers for affidavit ballots; the committee record notes that counties with poor cell coverage will require administrative solutions to implement the verification step. The bill now moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.
