New York, NY. - September 20, 2006 - National Urban League President Marc Morial urged the U.S. Senate to defeat legislation passed by the U.S. House today that would require voters to show proof of citizenship and photo identification to register to vote and cast ballots in federal elections, starting in the 2006 general elections and beyond.

"Just two months after it overwhelmingly approved the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization, the U.S. House undercuts it by passing a bill that threatens to disenfranchise countless eligible voters," Morial said. "Using the excuse of cracking down on voting fraud, lawmakers are perpetuating the greatest fraud of all. They're trying to prevent eligible Americans from exercising their most sacred and important civil right - the right to vote."

Introduced by Illinois Republican Rep. Henry Hyde, the bill, entitled the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 (H.R. 4844), passed the House by a vote of 228 to 196.

People of color, people with disabilities, the elderly, young, and people who live in poverty are among the groups least likely to have documents to prove their citizenship. H.R. 4844 throws up unnecessary and burdensome hurdles for these citizens and, without provisions offering financial aid, it constitutes a modern day poll tax and discriminates against citizens who cannot afford a passport or government-issued photo ID.

In 2005, a federal judge in Georgia invalidated a similar requirement in a state law, characterizing it as a "poll tax." Other similar voter ID bills have been found unconstitutional, as recently as this week.

Only a quarter of eligible voters have passports, which now cost $97 to obtain, and naturalization papers used to prove citizenship cost $210 to be replaced. Furthermore, an estimated 6 to 12 percent of voters do not have government-issued photo identification, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

"In a perfect world, all citizens would have a passport or birth certificate readily available. But the reality is that many do not. If this legislation eventually becomes law, some Americans will be forced to pay in order to exercise their right to vote," Morial said. "What is the point of passing legislation that, like previous attempts to impose burdensome voter ID requirements, is likely to be struck down as unconstitutional?"

"Members of Congress are not required to produce documentation proving their citizenship before running for office. It is shameful that they now seek to impose such a burden on eligible American citizens who wish to exercise their right to participate in the political system. I urge the Senate to reject the House's bogus justifications for this outrageous act and soundly defeat this voter ID bill," he added.

For more information or to set up an interview with Mr. Morial, contact Ricky Clemons at 212-558-5371 or rclemons@nul.org

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