House Republican Caucus Chairwoman Debra Maggart of Hendersonville speaks to reporters in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig)NASHVILLE – A Republican-backed bill requiring Tennesseans to show photo identification before voting cleared a major House committee on Tuesday.
The bill passed the House State and Local Government Committee on a voice vote. It has already passed the Senate.
House Republican Caucus Chairman Debra Maggart, of Hendersonville, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure “is necessary because it protects the integrity of the ballot box,” citing three prosecutions for voter fraud in Shelby County.
Her counterpart, Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner, of Nashville, called the bill a “backdoor poll tax” on poorer Tennesseans, who may have difficulty paying for a driver’s license or other photo ID.
But Turner backed off a bit after learning that Senate Republicans and Maggart are exploring ways to help poorer Tennesseans, although he still said the bill is being pushed forward too quickly.