It’s official. You now need photo identification to vote in Clovis municipal elections.
The City of Clovis commissioner on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a voter referendum on photo IDs.
The issue was actually decided back in March when nearly 73% of the voters approved the photo requirement.
The commission is simply putting that ordinance into effect.
It was a year ago a group of Clovis citizens proposed requiring a photo ID to vote in municipal elections.
The city commission narrowly approved putting it on the ballot. But, once it got there, a huge majority of voters said yes.
The law goes into effect immediately, but, only applies to municipal elections.
That means only elections affecting the city. Statewide and general elections do not apply to the new ordinance.
The commission voted 7-1 to approve the ordinance. The lone dissenting vote came from commissioner Robert Sandoval.
Mayor David Lansford says they’re following the will of the people. “We don’t know of any current issues or any current fraud that’s taken place in the voting process here.” Lansford said. “But, I think just the nature and current political environment that we’re in has produced these kinds of sentiments.”
Commissioner Sandoval says there’s a reason for the current political environment.
“We used to be a group of friendly friendly people. We used to be a group of friendly commissioners. But, since the TEA party has taken over, it’s a changed world.” Sandoval said.
Mayor Lansford says there was some opposition to the ordinance but, that has quieted down since the vote in March.
As for the photo IDs, they will accept any local, federal or state-issued photo ID in order to vote.
That includes passports, driver’s licenses and even student IDs. But, they must include a photo.
If you don’t have a photo ID, you would still be able to cast what’s called a conditional ballot.
While the ordinance takes effect immediately, there won’t be another municipal election in Clovis until March 2018.
Though, the IDs would be required in the event of a special election in Clovis before that time.
(Information from MyHighPlains.com)
