Governor pulling for voter ID bill 
By Mary Beth Schneider    Indianapolis Star 
March 18, 2005
 

Gov. Mitch Daniels said today he's hoping that the legislature does not again dissolve into partisan inaction, as lawmakers in the House prepare to vote on a controversial measure to require voters to show photo IDs at the polls.

That issue contributed to a Democratic walk-out two weeks ago which shut down action in the House for a couple days, killing many bills including a House version of the photo ID bill.

Thursday, House Republicans rejected numerous Democratic attempts to alter Senate Bill 438, the Senate version of the measure. That debate avoided rancor, but Rep. Ed Mahern, D-Indianapolis, warned that he could not promise what will happen when the measure comes down for a final House vote. The issue, he said, is "very emotional."

And, according to Daniels, very popular with Hoosiers. He disclosed today that his office has taken a poll, using private funds, on that and other issues.

Asked to make the poll public, Daniels said he would consider the request. His office did not disclose any other details of the poll, including when it was taken; who and how many were polled; and the questions asked.

While the voter ID measure is not part of Daniels' official agenda, the governor said the bill is "not a bad one."

"Seven-out-of-eight Hoosiers think that this is a good idea," Daniels told reporters during his weekly media availability this morning.

He said he was hoping, though, that the issue does not again cause an impasse in the House. Democrats including in other states, such as Georgia, which also are considering photo ID legislation charge that the measure will depress voter turn-out, including among the low-income and minority voters. Republicans say it is needed to combat voter fraud.

Daniels also indicated the poll showed Hoosier support for switching to daylight-saving time. That bill, too, was among the casualties of the walk-out. And unlike some issues, Daniels said, it may not be able to be revived. Legislative rules make it difficult to find a bill that the time switch could be amended in to.

Daniels said that in general his legislative agenda should survive. But asked about the daylight-saving time issue in particular, he said: "I don't know. It is very difficult."

But, he added, the polling showed that "the majority for daylight-saving time is bigger than it's ever been. A clear majority of Hoosiers now see that this would be good for our economy. And about half of the opposition say they would change their mind if they knew it were about jobs."

"There is a majority for it, a big one, among Indiana citizens and I think there's a majority for it in both houses of the General Assembly, but that is not a guarantee of action under the circumstances," he said.