ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 25, 1996 TAG: 9601250055
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
Legislators have agreed on a compromise over the state's motor-voter bill that will require voters to present some form of identification before they vote.
Republican Gov. George Allen last year vetoed the motor-voter legislation, which would have allowed voter registration by mail and at various state offices. Allen then lost in a court challenge.
Allen was the driving force behind the compromise.
Under the new legislation, which the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee will consider Tuesday, a voter can show poll officials a voter registration card, Social Security card or any preprinted identification that shows his or her name and address, name and signature or name and photograph.
Allen and other opponents believed mail registration could lead to voter fraud unless voters were asked to identify themselves.
Sen. Joseph Gartlan, D-Fairfax County, chief sponsor of last year's bill, said Democrats as well as Republicans have agreed to the compromise.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996by CNB