Two Republican sponsored bills that would require a photo ID for same-day voter registration get their first hearing at the state capitol Wednesday.
In 2013 state Democrats overhauled Colorado election laws. Republicans protested the changes especially the provision allowing voters to register on Election Day.
GOP lawmakers want people to show a photo ID to do this.
Two bills scheduled to be taken up by the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee address this topic.
HB 1169 would require Coloradans to present a photo ID if they register to vote on Election Day.
And HB 1140, sponsored by Republican Rep. Don Coram of Montrose, spells out what kind of IDs would be accepted for same-day voter registration and would also put the issue on the ballot for voters to address.
Coram said the bill is aimed at preventing voter fraud.
"I don't want to take anyone’s right to vote away, but I don't want to have anyone as voting when they are not entitled to be voting in that election," he said.
House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran, D-Denver, called the proposals 'unnecessary'.
"We already have adequate safeguards to deter and catch fraud," Duran said. "And, we can't that forget under our current process all signatures are checked on every ballot.
The two bills aren't expected to bode well in the Democratic-led committee.
