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Arkansas Panel Says Voter ID Bill Vote Can Proceed

A House panel says that a bill requiring Arkansas voters to show photo identification can be approved by the Legislature on a simple majority vote, rejecting arguments from opponents that the state's constitution requires a two-thirds supermajority on the measure.

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday voted to recommend to the speaker that voter ID bill was properly referred to the House from the Senate on a 23-12 vote, one vote shy of a two-thirds majority.

Opponents of the measure had argued that the bill changes constitutionally-established voter registration  requirements that can only be amended by a supermajority.  

The measure would require voters to show photo identification before they cast a ballot.  

The House could take action on the bill as early as Wednesday afternoon.