House Advances Arkansas Voter ID Legislation

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The Arkansas House has passed a bill that would require state voters to present photo identification  before casting a ballot.

The measure passed on a 51-44 vote Wednesday. The bill still has to go before the Senate for final passage. The upper chamber will have to concur on an amendment for the legislation to go to Gov. Mike Beebe.

Opponents had argued that the state's constitution requires a two-thirds supermajority on the measure. But earlier Wednesday, the House Rules Committee voted to recommend to the speaker that voter ID bill was properly referred to the House from the Senate on a 23-12 vote.  

The Senate vote was one vote short of a two-thirds majority. Opponents of the measure had argued that the bill changes constitutionally-established voter registration requirements.