Bill > HB19

This bill requires voters in Alabama to present valid photo identification when voting in person, with acceptable forms including a valid Alabama driver's license or nondriver identification card, a valid U.S. passport, a valid employee identification card with a photo from a government entity or state/local entity, a valid student or employee ID from an in-state public or private college or university with a photo, a valid U.S. military ID with a photo, or a valid tribal ID with a photo. For those without any of these forms of identification, the Secretary of State is mandated to issue a free Alabama photo voter identification card, which is only valid for voting purposes and is not available to those who already possess other valid photo IDs. The bill also specifies that making a fraudulent application for this state-issued ID is a Class C felony, and it allows the Secretary of State to contract with private vendors for the production of these cards, with costs covered by the state's General Fund for voter registration. Voters who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot under federal law are exempt from these identification requirements, and individuals unable to meet the photo ID requirements can vote by provisional ballot. The new photo ID requirements will take effect for the first statewide primary election in 2014.