Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday vetoed a bill pushed by Republican lawmakers to require Kentucky residents to show a government-issued photo ID in order to vote.
In his veto message, the governor said the measure would create an obstacle to voting, resulting in fewer people casting ballots and “undermining our democracy.”
Beshear, a former state attorney general, added that the bill seeks to “resolve a problem that does not exist," pointing to the absence of voter impersonation cases in Kentucky.
Secretary of State Michael Adams urged lawmakers to override the veto. The measure passed the Senate and House by wide enough margins to overcome a veto. The GOP-led legislature is scheduled to reconvene April 13.
“I ask the legislators of both parties who believe in election integrity and passed this law to override this regrettable veto, and I hope the governor will eventually join me in governing from the center,” Adams said in a statement.
Adams, a Republican, campaigned on the issue en route to his election victory last year. The bill's lead sponsor is GOP Sen. Robby Mills.
The measure would require Kentucky residents to produce a photo ID when voting, with limited exceptions, starting with the November election.
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