The VALID Act of 2022, also known as Bill 117 hr 8616, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to address issues related to voter identification and verification in federal elections.
The VALID Act proposes several key provisions. First, it requires all voters to present a valid form of identification before casting their ballot in federal elections. This identification must include a photo of the voter and be issued by a government agency. The bill also establishes a process for individuals who do not have a valid ID to obtain one free of charge.
Additionally, the VALID Act mandates that states implement electronic poll books to verify voter information and prevent fraud. These electronic poll books would be connected to a national database to ensure accurate and up-to-date voter information.
Furthermore, the bill includes measures to improve the security of mail-in voting, such as requiring voters to provide a copy of their ID when requesting a mail-in ballot. It also establishes penalties for individuals who attempt to fraudulently obtain or cast a mail-in ballot.
Overall, the VALID Act of 2022 aims to strengthen the integrity of federal elections by implementing stricter voter identification and verification measures. Supporters of the bill argue that these provisions are necessary to prevent voter fraud and ensure the legitimacy of election results. Critics, however, raise concerns about potential barriers to voting for marginalized communities who may face challenges in obtaining valid identification.