A bill to require Wyoming voters to show current, valid photo identification before casting a ballot has cleared a legislative committee on a 5-4 vote.

House Bill 192 was amended in the House Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions Committee to specify that tribal ID for members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe tribes would qualify people to vote if the bill becomes law. House Bill 192 is sponsored by Rep. Chuck Gray [R-Natrona County].

In committee discussion and public testimony on the proposal, opponents questioned why the bill is needed since voter fraud in Wyoming is rare or non-existent.

But Rep. Gray questioned how anyone can no for sure that it isn't happening since photo ID is not currently required to cast a ballot in the state.

Committee Chair Rep. Tyler Lindholm [R-Crook/Weston counties] said he was concerned about differences in Wyoming law between registering to vote and actually voting if the bill becomes law.

But the bill narrowly cleared the committee vote and now moves on to the full House of Representatives for further consideration.

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